Job-hunting in the age of social networking
January 24, 2012
Many people use social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter to stay in touch with friends and family. However, soon-to-be college grads should know that many employers are also using these sites to recruit and research potential employees.
While some believe that social networking may help them in their job hunt, others worry about blurring the lines between their professional persona and their personal one.
In fact, Mashable.com reports that a recent worldwide survey of more than 30,000 students and graduates found that just 25 percent said they were comfortable connecting with potential employers via Facebook, with many citing privacy concerns. In other words, most want to keep their personal and professional networks separate.
"The concern would be, 'I don't want a potential employer to be able to see my personal information. I don't want to connect with a recruiter on Facebook because they'll see a picture of me at party,'" Rick Marini, CEO of BranchOut, a professional networking service available through Facebook, told the Wall Street Journal.
Data shows that there may be a reason to be nervous. MediaBistro.com reports that 70 percent of job recruiters have rejected candidates based on information found online, In addition, Mashable.com reports that a recent study found that as many as 80 percent of employers will review a candidate's "online presence and behavior before making a hiring decision."
So, how can you ensure that your profiles are appropriate for would-be employers? First and foremost, it's important to keep your online profiles clean. Pictures of crazy, drunken college parties or anything else that does not make you look good could end up costing you the job of your dreams.
"Everything you post, tweet or comment on is being recorded, and will come back to haunt you," advises Mashable.com. "Not to mention, if a tweet can get you fired, it can also prevent you from being hired the next time around."
If you're like many moms who go back to college to pursue a degree, you're eagerly looking forward to seeing the pay-off from all of your hard work and dedication in the form of a job offer. Whether you pay for your college education on your own, or get assistance through grants for parents, scholarships for mothers or other financial aid, taking steps to ensure you are properly represented online is important these days.
Want to see what potential employers can learn about you online? Simply run a Google search with your name as the subject.
Mashable.com recommends future or recent grads spend some time working on their online presence to attract as many employers as possible. It's totally acceptable to use the internet as a way to show a company that you're interested in working for them. "Like" them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and use the sites to help build your knowledge of what's going on with the company.
While unemployment rates remain high, the good news for recent graduates is that employers are expected to hire more grads in 2012 than they did in 2011. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), employers are expecting to hire 9.5 percent more graduates in 2012 than they did in 2011, with an average salary of $51,000 - six percent more than graduates in 2011.
