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Be careful how of your on-line portrayal

  • Started 3 months ago by Coda1108
  • Latest reply from Coda1108

  1. Coda1108
    Member

    A friend of mine was conducting a job search for a graphics manager. He had it narrowed down to six people he wanted to interview. He did a search of them on MySpace and noticed one of them had pictures of himself talking about his drinking and drug-infused partying lifestyle. Even though the was extremely qualified for the job, he didn't get a phone call to be interviewed.

    Job seekers, not only should you control how you're portrayed on such sites, you should also do a web search for yourself to see what comes up. Your potential employer may likely be doing the same thing!

    Posted 3 months ago #

  2. DianaR
    Member

    Now, employers might need to be careful with doing this as well. They can't tell if what they see was actually the work of their potential employee, or someone seeking revenge!

    Open could also use this to their advantage. There is no law saying that what you put online has to be true. Stacking a MySpace profile with claims of education, training, and experience above and beyond that required for the position you seek can improve your value to a company who is lazy enough to use MySpace as part of the screening process!

    Posted 3 months ago #

  3. Coda1108
    Member

    True, though I doubt many companies would use something on a MySpace profile as a serious indication of accomplishments. I can see, however, a potential employer using it to get a feel for how a person chooses to express him- or herself to friends, etc. Most people using MySpace and similar sites develop their profile with their friends in mind. It could be a good insight for potential employers to get to know how they choose to do so.

    Posted 3 months ago #

  4. DianaR
    Member

    I hope that same employer isn't requiring a resume as well! After all, the resume should be the example of how you express yourself in a business setting. There is no reason for an employer to know how you express yourself with your friends!

    Posted 3 months ago #

  5. Coda1108
    Member

    I can see both sides of the coin. Personally, I would interview anyone I find qualified. However, depending upon corporate culture, some employers (especially small companies) might want to keep chemistry of employees in mind.

    Posted 3 months ago #

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