Week of 10/6/2008-10/10/2008

Our group all worked together to come up with possible solutions for our white paper.  We were able to come up with three solid solutions to the Facebook problem.  We met on Thursday night to collaborate all of our research so we were able to write the memo. 

I found a lot of information about recruiters from different companies using Facebook possibly as a factor of recruiting.  About 20% of companies say they use the social network when recruiting for new job candidates.       

            Our group met at the Union on Monday, October 6 at 1:30.  All members of the group were there: Sam, Suranjani, Curtis, and Christine.  The goal of the meeting was to discuss about our topic and possibly delegate who would be in charge of different parts of the memo.  We discussed some of the things Facebook users can do to lower the possibility of their professional reputation being ruined.  Some of the things users can do are limit the information they provide on their Facebook profile, limit the friends that you have on your account, do not save your password to your Facebook account, and you could possibly deactivate your Facebook account during your job search.  At the meeting we decided that Suranjani would come up with reasons why people should follow our advice.  Curtis and Christine researched for some specific instances were Facebook ruined chances for people to get possible jobs.  I was given the task to write the blog.  At the next meeting our plans are to work on the structure of the memo and possibly delegate different sections of the memo out to different group members.  Here are some of the persuasive reasons Suranjani came up with and also some of the resources that Curtis and Christine found. 

·         Credibility and reliability of employee will be questioned.

·         Major risk to potential career graph

·         This final check could be the only reason to one losing a job to another in an extremely        competitive world.

·         http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/20/eveningnews/main1734920.shtml

·         http://media.www.kaleo.org/media/storage/paper872/news/2006/01/17/News/Employers.Look.At.Facebook.com-2796609.shtml

·         http://www.businessweek.com/debateroom/archives/2008/03/employers_get_o.html

While most college kids use Facebook as a social tool to communicate with their friends or look at photos of what their brother did over the weekend, it is becoming a way for future employers to find out more about the people they are interviewing.  If a recruiter happens to have a Facebook account and they want to learn more about you and they find a picture of you doing a beer bong during the middle of a football tailgate, they might think twice about who they are going to hire.  Students should be more aware of what they post on their individual accounts so it will not affect their future.

• To utilize my [analytical  and communication skills] as an [Actuarial Technician.]
• A position  as an [Actuarial Technician] for [Allstate Insurance] allowing me to develop my [actuarial lore.]
• An oppurtunity to [begin my actuarial profession in a [company I feel in good hands with.]
• [Actuarial Associate] with an emphasis in [processing and quantifying data.]

Sam Crawford

1301 Palmer Drive #111

West Lafayette, IN 47906

317-506-7427

stcrawfo@purdue.edu

Date

address of who it is you are writing to

Dear “name of employer/recruiter”,

I.                    Introduction

a.       reason for contacting the employer

b.      which job you are applying for

II.                 Skills and Experience

a.       List experience/skills you have had that will help you excel at this job

                                                              i.      Relevant coursework in Actuarial Science

                                                            ii.      Well versed in Microsoft Office

                                                          iii.      Work well with others and have much experience working with others

III.               Closing

a.       Discuss possible meeting

b.      “Look forward to hearing from them shortly”

Sincerely,

Sam Crawford

Signature_______________

Encloser:  Resume

     I am taking this class because I need another Composition class and so I can advance myself in the business world.