Can We Be Friends?

Raquel Richards
rr150811@ohio.edu

In today's world, being friends doesn't mean what it used to. Friends used to be personal relationships that interacted through face-to-face communication, social activities, and in-person interaction. Today, friends is such a generic term. You hear people say, "Yeah, I'm friends with her on Facebook," or, "Yeah she just added me as a friend yesterday." In today's social media filled world, "friends" are merely people that we are connected with online, but might not actually have personal relationships with.

Source: http://zachwcarpenter.com/tag/social-networking/

So when it comes to the professional world, what is appropriate to do on social media? Can social media be used as a benefit to connect with professionals who we don't have relationships with? Are we over stepping our boundaries by connecting with them on such a personal level? I am going to give my personal answers to these questions, but back them up with some evidence.

Do you connect with professionals on social media?

Each social media site is different. Twitter is social statuses. Instagram is social pictures. Facebook is a combination of status's and pictures. LinkedIn is the most professional social media, focusing on connections and professional achievements. When connecting with professionals we do not have relationships with, it is almost not worth our time anymore. Professionals don't typically view social media as a place to build relationships with future employers or coworkers. However, LinkedIn as been known one of the most beneficial professional social medias. Connecting with professionals who can see your resume and achievements may spark their interest to recruit you for an opportunity. Any other type of social media won't be taken seriously, and might even hurt you come time for an interview or something else.

Is looking into a professional before an interview considered creepy?

While social media has allowed us to look into other peoples lives, even if they don't want us to, it should be used with extreme caution. When considering researching someone you know might be interviewing you, you should consider what is appropriate and what is not. LinkedIn is obviously meant to express professional accomplishments and standings. So, if this professional is publicly on there, it could be a huge benefit before your encounter. Learning the person's position in the company, how long they have worked with the company, where they have worked before, and even where they attended school can be interesting talking points, and make the professional feel comfortable getting to know you. However, things that are inappropriate include: finding the professional on Facebook or Twitter and identifying that they have a wife and three kids. This type of information is irrelevant to their contribution with the company, and and portray you in the wrong light.

Overall, social media is doing wonders in the personal and professional world. Sometimes though, these worlds do not mix and should remain completely separate. So the next time you think you should add the CEO of Apple as a friend on Facebook, first consider adding him on LinkedIn, and developing a personal relationship before you get to the Facebook level.