Businesses are trying so hard these days to broaden their brand-image via social networking: they want to appear more personal and ‘human’. From that viewpoint, I see no harm in job-seekers taking the same tact. Controlling your online profile can be a balancing act, since not many people want to turn their social network profile/s into a…[Read more]

As undesirable as it is to have a potential employer check for every little detail on you, it’s an unfortunate fact we have to live with. Reputation has always been a large part of office politics, and social media has made it even easier for any potential dirt to be dug – play it safe and remove those tags.

Yes, yes, yes a million times. A friend of mine has just started out in recruitment and was telling me only a few days ago that every good application he receives is followed up by a quick glance at their Facebook profile. Definitely think twice about uploading the photos from last Saturday.

But whilst restraining yourself on Facebook, you need…[Read more]

We need to remember that this works both ways; as an interview candidate you could search for the person interviewing you and use this to your advantage. Perhaps you can see from the information on their profile they ‘like’ an author, lets say Michael Lewis, and you slip into your interview you’re reading Money Ball (or better yet bring along a…[Read more]

I do find it strange that some employer’s have the time to check out your social networking profile when throughout our job-seeking endeavours we’re constantly reminded to keep our CV’s concise because said employer’s haven’t enough time to assess each candidate in detail before tossing us on the reject/short-list pile. In all honesty we’re…[Read more]

The new facebook timelines have made it even harder to hide your profile.

That’s a good point. I thought my facebook page was hidden until my mum said she’d seen it.

Whether we like it or not, many employers will check your profile. Either keep your online activities professional or better still, make sure only your ’friends’ can see your profile. Be sure to test whether ’non-friends’ can see your account.

I’ve read/heard the idea of simply telling your boss you don’t have a Facebook if asked, thus attempting to protect your privacy. Obviously, however, you’d have to do some follow-through on this by making sure you weren’t searchable via Facebook. Another tactic for maintaining privacy if you do become ‘friends’ with your boss or any…[Read more]

I must say, I completely resent the fact that employers think they have a ‘right’ to check your online social profile pages. I don’t have anything particularly incriminating on my facebook page, however, that’s part of my social life. People should be alowed a social life as well as a work life. I think most people are mature enough to a) not…[Read more]