“I lost my job because of Twitter”

DON’T let this happen to you.

“A recent tweet by a would-be Cisco hire illustrates how easy it is to humiliate yourself with microblogging. The candidate, whose identity ultimately was revealed, posted this: “Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work.” Cisco replied: ‘Who is the hiring manager? I’m sure they would love to know that you will hate the work. We here at Cisco are versed in the web.’”

More details about the situation can be read at Helen Popkin’s article “Twitter gets you fired in 140 characters or less”

There are many components to landing a job, such as a creating a good resume and cover letter, making a good impression with your attire, doing well during the interview, and possessing proper social web etiquette.

The term “social web etiquette” was coined when speaking with ranting to Ken Barnes about students who need better privacy settings on their Facebook (By the way, if there is some other terminology I should be using, please let me know). Look at it this way: If an employer wants to hire you, they find it necessary to find everything about you to see if there is a fit, which includes checking out resumes, calling references, and doing background checks. In this day and age, that may include checking your social networking sites

One may argue: “They can’t look at my Facebook/Twitter/MySpace; that’s private information!”
I argue: Let’s try this exercise. Google your name. What comes up? Stuff from high school? Your comments on this blog? ::gasp:: Is that your Facebook? Or even your Twitter?
Surprise. That stuff is public. Everything on the internet is public. You know what’s creepier than possibly finding your social networking sites through a google search? Realizing how easily it can be done. If you can do it, a seven-year old could probably do it, and now your soon-to-be employer can as well.

One may say: “But my stuff is private!”
I say: Did you pass the google exercise I just had you do? If you did – Well, good for you.

One may say: “If you wouldn’t want your mother to see it, don’t put it up at all.”
I say: That is one way to look at it. Or, just don’t be friends with your mom – simple as that.

What do you think?