The Dangers of Social Networking During a Job Hunt
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It seems that everyone from teenagers to top-level executives of multi-million dollar corporations have taken to social networking online. These types of sites have been around for a while now, so it’s become common knowledge that you should keep your personal information private for safety reasons.
However, your presence on social networking sites can do more harm to you than just affecting your personal safety – it can damage your job safety as well. Today, many employers use social networking sites to narrow down their pool of applicants. A risque picture or an inappropriate comment can make the difference between you and someone else being chosen for a job interview, so it’s crucial to maintain your online reputation carefully just as you would do with your reputation in the real world. There are a few guidelines to keep in mind regarding using social networking sites wisely.
Privacy in Social Networking
Try to make your profile as private as possible. The less you reveal, the less a hiring manager will have to scrutinize. On some social networking sites, you can actually block your name from searches so that your name won’t come up when searched.
On the other hand, you might prefer to give a small hint of information so that friends can verify that you are the classmate they think you are, people with common interests can find you, and potential employers get a glimpse of what you’re really like outside of work. This personal touch can help you as long as you keep it simple, neutral, and tasteful.
Trouble Spots in Social Networking
When managing your profiles, take caution with your pictures, comments, and information. Don’t post pictures that are risque or objectionable. You can say that you graduated summa cum laude from your university, but if you post pictures that show you partying or drinking alcohol, it can give people the wrong idea. Your comment wall can also get you in trouble. If anyone leaves you a crude message, this can reflect poorly on you. After all, people are often judged by the company they keep.
Also, keep in mind that friends can tag you in their own pictures, so always keep track of what pictures you’re tagged in. These photos can be found in your own photo album, so even if all of your pictures are private, these tagged pictures might still appear. If you want to untag yourself from a photo, simply click on the photo and click on the untag option. I find this so frustrating in Facebook. I don’t like being tagged. I’ve even had people that weren’t in the photo tag everyone in it–including me! Very invasive and once it’s out there, it’s out there for good… remember that!
The scrutiny over your social networking profiles might not even end when you get hired for a job. Your current boss could become curious about how you conduct yourself outside work, so always be just as careful with your profiles as you would be during a job hunt.
Since potential employers often use social networking utilities to get a first impression of their candidates, make sure that you put your best face forward with your profile. Check your profile often to make sure that no one has left you any inappropriate comments or tagged you in any questionable pictures. Social networking sites are a great way to keep in touch with friends from your past or family members who live far away, so while they are not entirely bad, you should proceed with caution. Instead of your audience being your friends and family, think of your audience as the entire world, including your potential employers.
Written by Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CMRW - Visit the website to hire executive resume writer Erin Kennedy, CERW, CPRW
Erin is an internationally renowned certified resume writer specializing in professional and executive level resumes and career services.
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Erin Kennedy, CPRW, CERW owns Professional Resume Services, where she and her talented staff of writers specialize in professional & executive resumes. Erin is internationally recognized by her peers as one of the best of the best, she is a perennial award-nominated certified resume writer.
So many risks with social networking… You should almost shut down your Facebook profile for a few weeks when applying for new jobs!
.-= Jorgen @ Personal Branding´s last blog ..Why You Should Rearrange Your LinkedIn Profile Sections =-.
The major problem is people don’t know how to manage their “virtual” profile. You have just to control what you publish and give access to people you know. It is easy to say “facebook is evil” but facebook gives you everything to control your profile you have just to know how to use it!
Excellent points, Erin.
Unfortunately, the lackadaisical ‘feel’ of social networking sites, especially Facebook, gives people a false sense of freedom to post words and pictures that likely will come back to haunt them.
The thoughtful and careful approach to being ‘present’ on social media sites is highly advisable; creating settings that make you accessible and ‘find-able’ to possible leads and meaningful contacts while not ‘putting it ALL out there’ is a good strategy to follow.
PS – I agree with you about the ‘tagging feature’ on Facebook. Sometimes, it’s a fun way to share, if done judiciously and/or with the permission of those your tagging; other times, it simply feels invasive!
Cheers
Jacqui
The most dangerous problem is a fact that more than a half of Social accounts are lying and you can be fooled.I don’t trust Social networks at all.
Excellent post, plenty of valuable information i gained from here. I didn’t know the disadvantage of social media as such post showed during facing an interview. Mostly the problem is fake account creation. I appreciate your knowledge, keep updating like that..
People want to live freely and live in the open, but the fact of the matter is that everyone has some aspects of their life that should remain private. You have to be very careful what you put online for everyone else to see. Even when you are careful yourself, you still have to worry about what someone else might say about you accidentally without realizing the implications of it.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Shameless Self Promotion =-.
I agree, Kathy!
I think the bigger issue is information on the internet, not just social networking. Once you put something online, you don’t have control over where information/photos are republished or who sees them.
Thanks for a comprehensive analysis about the dangers of social networking during a job hunt.
This line from you deserves another mention, “Instead of your audience being your friends and family, think of your audience as the entire world, including your potential employers.”