ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2006 > May > 03
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Think before you post
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Your last job interview was great! The hiring manager seemed to like you. You really felt you hit it off with the staff. Everything was going well, but you didn’t get the job offer.
A hundred questions race through your mind. Was it something you said? Maybe you got a bad reference from a former employer?
Or maybe it was the photo of you and the random Elvis impersonator dancing on top of a bar in Las Vegas last summer! You know….the one that was so hilarious that you posted it on your My Space page for everyone in your online network to see? No, it couldn’t be!
Indeed, that could be the exact reason you were passed over for the job of your dreams!
As the popularity of these online networks grow, it is easy to create a profile on sites like My Space, Facebook or Friendster as a means of making social connections. But job seekers beware!
It’s equally as easy for hiring managers and college recruiters to log on to those same websites to do a little “reference checking” prior to extending a job offer to you.
Employers are using these online networks with increased frequency to identify any potential red flags related to a candidate’s habits and behaviors.
If you’re among the millions of online social network account holders and you’re interested in building your professional reputation, you should be aware that your personal life does effect how you’re viewed by potential employers. Read here.
Associate your profile with only non-controversial online social groups, avoid inappropriate comments and photos and chances are you’re not going to be denied a job offer based solely on your use of an online networking website.
Rule of thumb: If the topic is inappropriate for a job interview conversation, it is inappropriate for your online network profile during a job search. To play it safe, avoid topics like religion, politics, sexuality, or anything derogatory toward social, ethnic, gender or other demographic groups.
So what about those jobseekers who want to showcase their individuality though the medium of cyberspace and make no apologies about their personal habits? Are they putting themselves at a competitive disadvantage?
Does your Facebook profile really summarize who you are and is this indicative of how well you might perform on the job? Most employers would tend to think so.
