Be warned. It can happen. A growing number of employers admit checking up on candidates by searching popular social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and Twitter.
Never mind how you did in the interview or how sparkling your CV is, those dodgy shots speak volumes and according to a survey carried out by online recruitment company Job-Job.co.uk (www.job-job.co.uk), 60% of school leavers are losing out on jobs because of their profiles.
“A misjudged photograph or careless comment found is enough to force an employer to question personal conduct and wonder how their future professional integrity will stand up,” says Job-Job founder Ian Brooks.
Not the most sensible of blog entries
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And it won’t stop once you’ve got that job either. Last year, teenager Kimberley Swann from Essex, was sacked from her job as an administrator after calling it ‘boring’ on Facebook. She accused her firm of being nosey and she had a point, but the fact is, she got caught out.
It is snooping. It is a bit like searching through somebody’s drawers. Why should an employer know what your favourite book is and be able to check out your mates or see what you did at the weekend? They shouldn’t, but it happens and it will become increasingly popular with employers.
Facebook has more than 200 million users worldwide. And they’re not all youngsters. It’s not unusual to find your parents or your boss on the site nowadays which makes it all too easy for them to do an instant search.
So, how do you make sure you have a squeaky clean reputation online?
- Don’t list details of your love life on social networking sites.
- Check your privacy settings so that only friends can read your information – but remember your mates can post up information about you for all the world to see as well, or tag you in their photos!
- Don’t post pictures of yourself drunk at parties - and if friends do, ask them to take the photographs down.
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- Don’t whinge about your job or the company you work for online.
- Pay attention to the interests you list. Your love of Saw movies might not go down well if you are applying for a job as a nursery teacher.
- Don’t visit networking sites at work.
- Go through your profile with a fine-toothed comb, imagining you were an employer.
- Google yourself and see what comes up. If it’s toe-curlingly bad, make some changes. Fast!
- Warn friends not to make risqué comments on your wall. If they insist on doing so, remove them!
- Check out any groups you belong to that may display dodgy photos of you - such as your old school, college etc.
- Use a nickname, if you really do feel the need to post those dodgy pictures of yourself then create a profile under a nickname and make sure your real details do not come into it what-so-ever!
Rag Week or your weekend getup?
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- What should you include on your profile? Basically, anything that shows you in a good light.
- List any hobbies or activities that show you have broad interests, which might impress an employer
- Photographs, which show you in a good, mature light
- Intelligent, witty status updates
- Link your profile to ‘worthy’ fan pages that interest you
- Make sure you flag up any charity or voluntary work you’re involved in
- Likewise, list any good causes that interest you
But it’s not all bad. Sites like LinkedIn, a business orientated social networking site, can actually help you find a job. Treat it like a CV and only include information you’d want a potential new boss to see.
Remember, Big Brother is ALWAYS watching!
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