Facebook is a fad!

I've been contacted by companies/recruiters through LinkedIn and received a few interviews from it.

Building your professional network (especially since knowing someone seems to make the job search easier) makes it a valuable tool.

In reply to z31maniac:

When I was a member of SAE, I used to get head hunters call me- is that the same?

If it's a job serch thing, how does it differ from other job search sites?

For me, it allows for a more complete profile for potential employers to view your skills, as opposed to JUST your resume. You can add a picture, which helps add a human element to the whole thing.

As far as a job search, I haven't really used it for that. I used to use indeed.com to search then apply.

For Tech Writers in my area, you are usually sought out vs having to apply.

alfadriver wrote: In reply to z31maniac: When I was a member of SAE, I used to get head hunters call me- is that the same? If it's a job serch thing, how does it differ from other job search sites?

It's not a job search thing.

It's a cast a broad net thing.

And nowadays some people choose what form of communication they will use. Period. Marketers will tell you that if someone contacts you via a particular format, you should respond in like kind. In other words, if they Tweet you, you should tweet back. If they email you, you should email back.

Some people use Facebook. Period. If you are not on it, they will not be communicating with you. Same for LinkedIn, etc.

z31maniac wrote: You can add a picture, which helps add a human element to the whole thing.

Interesting. But it may blur the line in ethical (and perhaps even legal) hiring practices.

If the picture influences the hire (like it is an older person, a racial minority, a woman, etc.) it COULD cross the line.

z31maniac wrote: For me, it allows for a more complete profile for potential employers to view your skills, as opposed to JUST your resume. You can add a picture, which helps add a human element to the whole thing. As far as a job search, I haven't really used it for that. I used to use indeed.com to search then apply. For Tech Writers in my area, you are usually sought out vs having to apply.

I must be old school. I've been here for 20 years in March, and probably would not entertain moving, so that kind of "networking" isn't needed much.

As for the whole "networking" for other reasons- since I'm not allowed to make any commitments, doesn't help me much there. It would be a whole lot more effective to just write a report for a professional group....

the requests I'm getting have nothing to do with what I do- one guy out in the Bay area sent a request- good Alfa guy, sure. I got a spam one once when I sent a note to the requester. And now, a friend who roasts coffee...

Although, if we jump off the bridge, and buy a plantation in Puerto Rico, then that may need some good networking....

z31maniac wrote: indeed.com to search then apply.

Yes, yes indeed

I only use Indeed instead of searching half a dozen other sites because they all end up on Indeed anyway.

Actually, I kinda like the conversation.

Facebook might yet be a fad, but it's also the second most visited URL on the net. It also allows people to share things with one another or find new things they are interested in.

Some folks have figured out Facebook enough that they visit every day, but don't go anywhere else on the internet. Some companies have abandoned "real" websites to go all facebook, all the time. (That won't be me, BTW.)

I berkeleying hate Facebook...but I still use it. Partly because it falls close to my job description and partly because there are people on there that I wouldn't have any contact with otherwise.

As far as privacy and big brother concerns- I tend to be pretty open about that sort of thing. There's nothing you'll find me saying that I wouldn't share with my wife, kids, or family. Anonymity sometimes makes people act foolishly.

Hell, my name and primary email address are listed in the masthead of the magazine, and any half-hearted attempt to locate me could get within 5 miles. It wouldn't take too much poking around to locate me physically. I don't really have much privacy to protect. What do I care if Facebook knows I love Diamond Wasabi and Soy Almonds? (They are fantastic, by the way.)

If I were doing something I were ashamed of or felt vulnerable about, I could operate under an alias and still use Facebook. Gmail accounts are still free, and require exactly zero authentication.

Like I said in the other thread, I completely understand why some people aren't into Facebook. I don't understand when they get indignant over it.

Tom Heath wrote: Like I said in the other thread, I completely understand why some people aren't into Facebook. I don't understand when they get indignant over it.

Why indignant? Because they are lying thieves and people still beg them to take advantage of them. It hurts to watch. Link to FTC.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

I take it you are a MySpace man. Maybe a little Classmates.com.

So we're agreed Facebook: Decent tool slash application. Terribad investment.

Otto Maddox wrote: In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker: I take it you are a MySpace man. Maybe a little Classmates.com.

I don't patronize the sort of clubs that would have me as a member.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

Tom Heath wrote: Like I said in the other thread, I completely understand why some people aren't into Facebook. I don't understand when they get indignant over it.

Why indignant? Because they are lying thieves and people still beg them to take advantage of them. It hurts to watch. Link to FTC.

So be mad at the people who beg to be taken advantage of?

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

Tom Heath wrote: Like I said in the other thread, I completely understand why some people aren't into Facebook. I don't understand when they get indignant over it.

Why indignant? Because they are lying thieves and people still beg them to take advantage of them. It hurts to watch. Link to FTC.

So, they have BILLIONS of counts against them of breaking federal laws, and the FTC slaps their hand with an administrative complaint??

No fines, no admission of guilt, just a promise to not be bad again.

Who the heck is in charge here?? Completely asinine.

Tom Heath wrote: Some folks have figured out Facebook enough that they visit every day, but don't go anywhere else on the internet. Some companies have abandoned "real" websites to go all facebook, all the time.

There are car clubs and notable car personalities who do that, too. IIRC, Bill Caswell communicates primarily via facebook instead of website.

I'm part of the anti-Facebook crowd. I think the privacy concerns are valid. Between Google and Facebook, I'm concerned with how easy it's become to collect data on people that have no desire to share this data with everyone in the whole world.

For some silly reason, Facebook reminds me of the old Monty Python sketch about how not to be seen. As soon as someone stands up from his hiding spot, he gets shot. This, as the narrator says, demonstrates the value of not being seen.

I'm not so naive to think that people can't find out some creepy stuff about me even without Facebook. After all, in the Python sketch, the first guy that refuses to stand just gets blown up. But I see no reason why I should make it easier for anyone.

And as for using Facebook to keep up with friends, well...I believe that friends that are worth keeping up with are worth a phone call or email now and then. If they're not worth that, they're not friends.

In reply to Will:

My thoughts exactly.

Facebook is what you make of it. It can be a very resourceful tool to help you network, and learn about events and the like. It can also end marriages, it all is up to you, the user.

I don't have one and I enjoy my day to day life just fine how it is.

Skynet. It's Skynet, dude. Resist, human. Resist!

Will wrote: And as for using Facebook to keep up with friends, well...I believe that friends that are worth keeping up with are worth a phone call or email now and then. If they're not worth that, they're not friends.

Sums it up.

I don't care what your kids did today. I don't care what you think about random crap from your day. I don't care what you're having for dinner. I don't care that you're standing in line/at a game/tired/busy.

It's a big security blanket/grab for attention/affirmation. "Look at me--my life is more significant and interesting than yours because I write about it on facebook!!!" "I'll pretend to be interested in your stuff when really all I care about is what people say about my stuff!!!"

No thanks.

Facebook is for answering the question, "What's going on?" I'm sure that social events happened just fine in the past prior to the internet, but Facebook sure makes finding out the what/when/where/with whom easier.

For better or worse, it is the standard of communication among my peers. To invite everyone individually by phone for a routine get-together is about as quaint as sending invitations through the postal service.

I detest FB for the reasons Gamby mentions, but continue using it for those MitchellC states.

Gamby's not exaggerating, either, most 'status updates' really are that inane. It seems to me that older users are the worst perpetrators of this phenomena. Particularly new parents.

MitchellC wrote: Facebook is for answering the question, "What's going on?" I'm sure that social events happened just fine in the past prior to the internet, but Facebook sure makes finding out the what/when/where/with whom easier. For better or worse, it is the standard of communication among my peers. To invite everyone individually by phone for a routine get-together is about as quaint as sending invitations through the postal service.

Facebook is also for creeping that hot girl you sort of know's bikini pictures. In fact, it's worth ol' Mark selling my info to Chinese terrorists just for that...you should see some of the SISTERS of people I thought were my friends... shiny happy people holding out on me.

Luke wrote: Gamby's not exaggerating, either, most 'status updates' really are that inane. It seems to me that older users are the worst perpetrators of this phenomena. Particularly new parents.

wow...you just made me feel old...I would say most new parents are young whippersnappers, still wet behind the ears

That's a lie, actually. Should read 'and new parents', as the new parents I'm referring to are actually my own age.

...if it's any consolation

This is why I hate facebook.

Seriously. Finding out that people you have known for years are bigots/dumb as a bag of hammers/twilight fans and other oxygen theivery is pretty dissapointing.