I have been a member of Facebook since April 2012 and while I have enjoyed connecting with friends, family, enemies, former classmates, and former co-workers, one thing has remained; I don’t like Facebook changes. Since I joined, Facebook (FB) has changed its format a few times, and given us additions like avatars, Did You Know questions, Featured pictures on the profile page, profile videos, a marketplace, watch parties, FB Stories, and much more. Most of the additions I don’t use and don’t care to use. I did indulge in creating an avatar and added Featured pictures. I peruse the Marketplace every now and again which seems to be quite a successful avenue for FB members. However, for the most part, my opinion has always been, “FB does too much!” Simply meaning, Facebook offers so much, too much to where the connection part has almost gotten lost in the shuffle of providing options and information. I have 806 friends and only see about 25 in my News Feed. At the same time, I see every single Watch Video and clusters of Marketplace items at a time, as I endlessly scroll.
Now, FB is doing away with the Professional Skills section. I was pretty happy when I saw the above announcement pop up on my screen while using the FB app. I always thought this section was a little too invasive. In my opinion, much of FB’s outgoing information is a little too invasive. Remember, “FB does too much!” I was never a fan of the Professional Skills section. Since my sole purpose for joining FB was to connect, I felt such a question/section would be part of a one-on-one conversation, not something that’s broadcast across one’s timeline. Many of these “personal” questions do not have the option of hiding from the public as I think they should be. I also think profile pictures and cover pictures should be hidden from the public while in use and not have the option later.
I told you, I don’t like sharing too much information. The world-wide-web has enough access to us daily. If you don’t believe me, watch Netflix’s The Social Dilemma or read In Review: The Social Dilemma on Netflix. The docu-drama simply confirmed my skepticism when FB asked about Professional Skills, Work, Education, Places Lived, etc. Some people are quite comfy completing this information. Not I! Not me! No way! In my mind, many of these questions were the perfect way for hackers and identity thieves to gain access. Many people use many of these answers as their security questions. Think about it! So when FB asked about my Professional Skills, I was outdone and decided to be flippant. I simply typed, “Nope” and meant it. I was not going to tell FB anything else or anything more than I had already told them about myself when I set up my account. To learn that this section was now leaving, I was happy. Furthermore, I caught a giggle when FB reminded me of my answer lol.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same,” Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr. My joy was short-lived when the next pop-up stated that FB was simply replacing Professional Skills with a job board of sorts. Instead of going to Indeed, LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, or any of the other job boards and websites, someone looking for a job can just search on FB. “Facebook, Your one-stop-shop for all things connection-related,” should be FB’s new slogan. Oh goodness! I decided to explore to see what FB’s Jobs really had to offer.
Screen one is pretty easy, quite simplistic, and not a bad start to get the navigation going.
Screen two gives you a list of reputable employers seeking hirees. I love the detail given that many job boards don’t divulge. Although this job board may have an Indeed/LinkedIn feel, FB is making sure you have no reason to leave their app/website once you’re on it.
With all the gripes I have against FB and all the time I spend on their app, I truly believe this was a worthy change. Albeit one I will not use but hey, ya never know. The year 2020 has given us MANY surprises and unemployment was one surprise most did not see coming. Kudos, FB. I hope it works well for those who need it.
SIDEBAR: Now, if FB will return the poll option to the personal users instead of having the sole option for the business accounts, that would be great. It was the best feature you ripped away from me. My little heart is still broken.
Sincerely,
An Avid FB User since 2012.
Writing Waves 