If your clients or boss are on the same private network as you, it is better not to send a friend request. If they were to decline for completely understandable reasons, it could create an awkward situation for you that you can easily avoid by not sending the request at all.
It is no longer a question of yes or no, useful or useless, necessary or unnecessary… – social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn…) are an inseparable part of modern life in all its segments, from personal to business and political. There, in the online world, a huge part of our communication takes place. Since this is a relatively new communication medium, we are still quite uncertain about the rules of behavior. In the virtual world, we behave more spontaneously and therefore more informally than, for example, in direct contact because it gives us a false impression that we are not exposed. However, although virtual conversation is inherently similar to personal conversation, its reach and duration are significantly broader and longer and can have far-reaching consequences.
About the boss – all the best
An untactful comment, an unthoughtful statement, an awkward photo can linger on the internet for years and harm you precisely when you need it the least. In many companies, it is common to check job candidates on social networks. It often happens that candidates who seemed acceptable according to their application fall through due to inappropriate photos or texts on Facebook, forums, or blogs. Many users mistakenly believe that their activities on social networks are a private matter. On the internet, nothing is private. Therefore, always think three times before you press the ‘post’ button. So how to use social networks and remain, as they used to say, polite? As soon as you sign up for one of these networks, you are visible to other members. Therefore, you should be careful to present yourself appropriately and carefully craft your profile. Profile photos should be recent. On a business social network, you present yourself, of course, professionally, as you do in your business life. Only put a professional photo that shows you in business attire, and when presenting yourself, emphasize your professional career, qualifications, and expertise. Choose contacts based on professional and expert criteria. Private topics have no place here.
Private friends with whom you have no business connection should not be included in your business network.
On your private network, you will put a private photo and there you can write more freely about your interests, hobbies, or other leisure activities, completely ignoring business topics. In principle, on that network, you can add anyone as a ‘friend’ regardless of where you know them from. But do not think that other users cannot connect both of your profiles (on the business and private network) to get a complete picture of you. Therefore, it is absolutely forbidden to write negatively about your employer or business partner on the internet. You are unlikely to discuss personal problems related to health, with your partner, your children in puberty, or other family issues with everyone you meet on the street. Such topics also do not belong on the internet. Limit the visibility of your messages and comments to the circle of those you have exclusively confirmed as friends. Therefore, check what your privacy settings are on your social network.
If your clients or boss are on the same private network as you, it is better not to send a friend request. If they were to decline for completely understandable reasons, it could create an awkward situation for you that you can easily avoid by not sending the request at all.
