Social Networking Can Get You Hired or Fired

Social Networking Can Get You Hired or FiredSocial Networking Can Get You Hired or FiredSocial Networking Can Get You Hired or FiredSocial networking, that is, posting your profile and participating on sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn, has had a significant impact on work and job searching. This impact has been the focus of many recent studies that yielded two interesting findings(1) Employers are about as likely to hire you for having good online information as they are to reject you for having bad info.A CareerBuilder survey found that, among employers that use social networking sites to research job candidates, 53% rejected qualified candidates because they posted inappropriate photos or information on their profiles. Meanwhile, 50% of those employers said they hired job seekers because their online profiles provided a good feel for their personalities and how the candidates would fit in with the rest of the company.Another interesting observation was that employers are more lik ely to look you up on Facebook than on LinkedIn, even though the latter is more career-related.Lesson Weve said it before but it bears repeating Dont put anything online that would undermine your chances of getting hired. If you have anything remotely embarrassing on the web that could be found through a simple Google search, you should adjust your privacy settings so that only people you consider friends can view it.(2) Your bosses might prefer it if you didnt friend them on Facebook.About 48% of executives in an OfficeTeam survey said they were uncomfortable with being friended by people they manage, while slightly less 44 % are OK with it.Lesson Think twice about friending your boss. If you have a casual and comfortable relationship with him or her at work, it may seem fine. But work relationships can change over time, and your other friends may post information or photos that dont fit your professional image. If you opt to friend them, take this advice from the executive directo r at OfficeTeam Individuals should classify their professional contacts into a work list and limit what personal details this group can view. This is especially important if you log in at work. Your status update of OMG this project blows, I hate this job, combined with your high-score game rankings and quiz results time stamped at 252 pm, are dead giveaways that youre wasting company time and spreading negative messages about your employer.The social networking explosion holds enormous potential for building, enhancing, and advancing your personal brand and career. But be aware that the deeper your involvement, the greater your risk for damage. Use it, but dont lose control over it.Has social networking helped you get a job or prevented you from landing one? Share your experiences.