Social Networking Sites – Friend or Foe?

Everyone knows the social values of Facebook, MySpace, and other related sites like LiveJournal and Friendster but what about the pitfalls of putting such personal information on websites that are open to the public? Most employers these days investigate the people they hire to ensure good company fit and representation. Some leave it at a simple Google/Yahoo search on the candidate’s name, but others take it much further and actually look into MySpace and Facebook. 

What have employers easily found when looking at these sites? 
*Party pictures 
*Beach pictures
*Romantic (intimate) pictures
*Unflattering, funny, or embarrassing pictures
*Embarrassing stories
*Links to sites or friends that might be fun but otherwise cast a bad shadow on candidates
*Archived articles/stories 

How does this reflect on you?
Remember, we live in a reaction-based society. The things you do today may have long-lasting repercussions.

One student couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t getting contacted for interviews. He then removed material from his online profile which stated his personal interests as obsessive sex, ‘smokin’ blunts’ (hollowed out cigars filled with marijuana), and shooting people – all described in detail. Obviously this was a case of posturing for his peers, but none-the-less it may have stopped him from getting interviews. Think of the characteristics the employer is looking for when hiring a new employee. Would the details listed above have an effect on the decision to interview this student?

An employer did a search on a female student and found references to drinking, pot smoking, sexual escapades, explicit pictures, and detailed commentaries from friends. 

Another employer found reference to a story written by a potential candidate about students lying their way to the top of the corporate ladder. It weighed heavily on his decision not to interview that student. 

A Sacramento employer saw an intern looking at a friend’s MySpace site in the office. Even with the privacy controls up, the employer gained access to information in that person’s profile just by passing by the computer. Since that student applied for the same internship, it was a deciding factor for an interview. 

Tips for online users:
The key to using online services like MySpace and Facebook is common sense
*Review your MySpace and Facebook pages putting yourself in the employer’s shoes. Is the material there (pictures and text) something you would want to see in a potential hire representing your company?
*Use the privacy controls, but be aware that even with them up, your friends can still view your pages. If they do so in an inappropriate place, it defeats the purpose of the privacy settings.
*Do a Google/Yahoo search on your name and see what comes up. If there is something unflattering to you on the web, make sure it is removed. Also, be aware that many sites are archived. You may have to request archived material be removed from sites as well. This may take some time
*Make sure you don’t have too much personal information on the web (also important for online resumes). Things like internet stalking and identity theft have become big problems recently, so protect yourself and be careful.

Advantages of social networking sites…
Obviously we’re not advocating not using social networking sites; just to use common sense when setting them up. Remember – if information is posted on the web, it’s legally there for everyone to see! Keeping that in mind, there are also advantages to social networking sites.
*If you know employers uses sites like Facebook and MySpace, use it to your advantage. What do you think they would like to see in a potential hire? Highlight those skills and abilities in your profile.
*Post flattering or professional pictures that employers would enjoy seeing (and don’t worry – your friends won’t look down on you for doing so).
*Use the networking aspect of social networking sites. Statistics show that approximately 80% of new jobs are gained through networking. With stats that high, use your social networking site to your advantage. Take a look at the people in your circle and see where they work or what they’ve done. Chances are, you already have alums in your network, and some of them work for companies you would like to join. If so, you already have a connection there who may be able to help you get your foot in the door.
*Also, one significant benefit of all networking sites is the increased communication. Make sure you keep in touch with connections so when the opportunity becomes available, you’re the first person they contact.

If you have other tips or opinions, please post them here. We would love to hear from you.