Deep-internet Searches Done for Hiring Managers: What They Can Learn About You

Finding a job is not easy in today's economy. That job search may be made even harder because of the information that a hiring manager can learn about a prospective job seeker through the use of a deep-internet search.

It is unknown to what extent the use of deep-internet searches takes place, but the fact that they are used should make everyone who is in the job market or who may be a job seeker in the future be more cautious about their use of the internet.

From an article on money.cnn.com:

"The so-called deep Internet... is not new, but enterprising techies have recently come up with ever more sophisticated algorithms for trolling its vast contents....Researchers estimate it's more than 500 times the size of the everyday Internet you can see with an ordinary search engine.

"Someone adept at deep-Web diving can find information in databases that have blocked traditional search engines, as well as certain kinds of multimedia files and other formats Google can't reach -- including Web pages unlinked to any other pages, data from password-protected sites, and much, much more."

Examples of information mentioned in the article

Amazon wish lists
Results from the last marathon you ran
Whose political campaign you've given money to
Whether your house is in foreclosure
If you've ever filed an application for a patent
If you've declared bankruptcy
If you've fallen behind on your child-support payments
If you've been investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
Every blog comment you ever posted (think twice before putting up nasty posts on blogs)
Negative mentions of a past or present boss or employer

Regarding blog comments as mentioned in the article:

"Blog comments, for instance, seem 'anonymous' to many people because they think the Internet is so vast, how could anyone find that? But the fact is, an employer who does a Pipl search finds a lot more than just your LinkedIn profile. They're looking at a pattern of online behavior that can reveal your whole personality."

Read the money.cnn.com article by clicking here: "Employers may do creepy web searches about you"

See also by R.C. Johnson:
Facebook Makes More Changes; I'm Very Glad I'm Not Part of It
Facebook Profile Page Redesign: Now I'm Even Less Inclined to Join
Reputation/Defender (Reputation.Com): Providing Internet Privacy (somewhat) for a Fee
PublicRecordsNow: a Search Engine with Over 2 Billion Records Available
Spokeo: a Search Engine with Personal Records on Over 300 Million People!
Man Has Camera Implanted in the Back of His Head: This Raises Many Questions!

Sources:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/14/news/economy/employers_creepy_web_searches.fortune/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Web