In the times of Facebook and Google+ it is difficult to draw the lines of privacy in our lives. But we should at least make an effort to keep our professional and personal lives separate because of following reasons.
First let us start from hiring process. If my hiring manager gets on to my friend list even before the interview, then he has already formed an opinion before I walk in for the interview. He would have an idea about my religious views, my political views and my lifestyle in general. This could affect my chances of getting hired, in either positive or negative way and I would definitely like to be judged based only on my professional skills rather than my personal views.
Secondly after I am hired, I would want people at my work place to take me seriously and value my opinion. If my colleagues or my boss have checked my funny or funky pictures on the Facebook, then there is a lesser chance of them considering me a mature and professional individual.
Thirdly process of ‘Friending’ people at workplace will affect other way round as well. If I have checked out pictures of my boss in Speedos or intimate pictures with his girlfriend or any personal photographs or writings on the wall, then there is a very good chance that I might value his decisions less.
When we club professional and personal activities then it is an open invitation for work place gossips. It is a good idea to have social outings with colleagues, but these should be kept socially professional.
In my opinion it is always better to keep the professional and personal lives separated. I would never want people from my work place follow me every minute of the day. These are two separate lives and to have a healthy life style these should be kept apart.
I appreciate your concern about keeping the two lives separate. But I do not completely agree with the other points.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, social networks such as Facebook and Google+ are meant to be personal sharing spaces. People using them should realize this first before posting any content on them. For more professional networking, we have services such as LinkedIn.
I think such self moderated content will help address all your concerns. In fact I think that more than in the professional world, we need to be concerned about who in our personal circles sees the content(e.g. parents, spouse, etc.)
Yes Rakesh you are right about the fact that Facebook and Google+ is for personal sharing, but there are many instances when people at work might ask you to add them in. I know there is Linkedin but people are more curious abt personal lives.
ReplyDeleteAlso I wanted to give a word of caution to the people who make all the details public on facebook.
Coming to keep a check on personal circles, that is individual's choice, but usually less harmful than sharing it publicly.