The Dangers of Social Networking Sites in Your Job Search

It all starts with the idea that you are the best kept secret out there when searching for a job. You have prepared yourself with a well written resume, you've spent four long years committed to learning about your chosen profession, and you've researched the different companies you're interested in to ensure you seem informed for a great interview. Everything seems like you are ready to "Wow" your future employer.

The most important question in today's job search is have you researched yourself? Our technology driven society is based on convenience and in this day of Monster.com, HotJobs.com, and CareerBuilder.com, you must think beyond your own search for information. If you are able to quickly find information about employers, they will most likely be able to find information about you.

Although Facebook, MySpace, and other wonderful networking sights can be very helpful in expanding your horizons, one Google search of your name might ruin all opportunities you've lined up for employment. Have you researched your own name on the internet to see what potential employers might find out about you? Have you posted any strong views on religion or politics that might offend others on Myspace? Have you posted any intimate pictures on Facebook or other sights that might pop up when Googling your name? Any and most of these things may hinder your opportunity from even winning an interview to discuss potential employment.

Professional recruiters suggest that you clean up your online presence and at the very least have a well thought out response in case these topics evolve in your interview. The internet started as a novelty where most people have connected with others in a casual relationship whether it be for friendships, family contact, or hobby oriented activity. As the internet transforms our daily life as it has with sites like Ebay where global marketplaces have been created, its function for facilitating the process of employment will become far more critical to our financial success.

In the near future we may find all of our professional job searching may be completed online with our resume being a digital representation of our back round, job history, education, and accomplishments. Our very interviews may be conducted via internet video especially for long-distance interviewing. This means that all of our internet activity will be pertinent to assessing "who we are" in the hiring process.

Start by Googling your name and removing items that may create controversy, are offensive, or may be unprofessional. Anything involving sex, humor, religion, or politics are good places to start as not everyone will share your same thought process. Decide what image you want to present yourself to the world as first impressions are important and may at times be on the internet before you meet in person. Focus you online presence on promoting yourself in a professional and appropriate manner.

Once your online image is appropriate to your job search you may use your online image to help in securing profitable employment by suggesting potential employers review your Facebook, MySpace, or other professional site. It will help you look organized and it will show off your technological abilities.