Is Facebook good or bad for my online identity?

I've recently begun building my online identity in an effort to "brand" myself.  This is done to show potential employers and others working in the industry to know who I am and what I do.  However, many social-networking sites are being used to connect with friends and share details about people's personal lives.

Especially in the case of facebook, personal and professional identities seem to be merging.  Some people only become aware of this when they end up suffering professionally as a result of something they put on facebook.

Because facebook has become entrenched in people's everyday lives, and is spreading it's tentacles across the Internet via "like" buttons and fbconnect, not having a facebook identity means not marketing yourself to one of the worlds largest groups.  A professional presence on facebook is necessary, however, facebook is also intended for personal networking as well.


This merging of professional and personal social identities can be dangerous.  Too often are people hurt professionally by something they posted "off the clock" so to speak.  Think before you post; if potential employers (or current ones for that matter) can see it, you might want to watch yourself.

I do think that facebook can serve this dual purpose, however, I don't believe it can do it in it's current state.  Maybe if everyone had separate personal and professional profiles, and could control posts to each, then maybe this problem would be solved.