Social networkers, beware

As if we all didn't already know, folks who want to learn about you are looking you up online, from Google searches to checking out your mySpace and Facebook profiles. Who cares about the girl or guy you just met checking you out? You may not, but what about a potential employer? According to a recent article a Reuters study shows that since 2006, the number of hiring managers who say they've used social networking sites to find out about potential employees has double to 22 percent. That may not sound like a lot, but as the article says -

"Here's the kicker: About one third of the applicants screened online were dropped from contention after inappropriate content was found on their profile. Yikes."

Some may argue that those things shouldn't matter, but the reality is that for many potential employers, they do. Also as the article states, the greatest danger may be for those transitioning from college students to job seekers. And remember, with these sites, it's not just what you post about yourself, but what others post about you and link to your profile. Again, some may say let folks be themselves and if what is depicted is true, who cares. But the reality is that for lots of companies, when bad press comes to an employee, the company name is often mentioned too and when the employer can chose between slutty alcoholic appearing Sue and clean cut Mary, all other things being equal, Mary probably wins.