One of the wonders of Facebook is the ability to tap into the sheer quantity - and quality - of data that people are happy to share, meaning it's a gold mine of information for marketers.
US firm Millenial Branding took a look at four million Facebook profiles belonging to Gen-Ys (18 to 29) and found that they use their presence on the network as an "extension of their professional personality", despite the platform being used for socialising with friends and family.
Whilst two-thirds do not list their employer on their profiles, on average their are 16 co-workers included as so-called "friends".
Other notable highlights in the study:
- Gen-Ys spend just over two years in their first job.
- "Owner" accounts for the fifth most popular job title, "because they are an entrepreneurial generation", says MB.
- Travel and hospitality is the biggest sector in terms of employment, primarily because of lower-paid jobs attracting Gen-Ys during study periods.
But while the data and content being shared on Facebook is useful for marketers, this generation needs to be aware of of the pitfalls of sharing so much within social networks, as MB founder Dan Schawbel explains:
"Gen-Y needs to be aware that what they publish online can come back to haunt them in the workplace. Gen-Y managers and co-workers have insight into their social lives, which could create an awkward workplace setting or even result in a termination."
Here is an infographic with more data points: