Could that post cost you your dream job?

@ Friday, November 3, 2006

Confirmation that "knowing your audience" is even more important when you post content on the web:

According to CareerBuilder.com's latest survey, one in four hiring managers (26 percent) say they have used Internet search engines to research potential employees. One in ten (12 percent) say they have used social networking sites in their candidate screening process.

Of those hiring managers who used Internet search engines to research job candidates, 51 percent did not hire the person based on what they found. Of those who used social networking sites to research candidates, the majority (63 percent) did not hire the person based on what they found.

Which is why I'll never discuss politics, religion, or sex on this blog. I have strong opinions on all three, but I decided long ago that the focus of this site would be on my writing/web/business musings. I want clients or hiring managers to judge me on those, not whether I'm a Democrat or Republican or Freeranger.

Now don't get me wrong, posting a photo of yourself doing a keg stand can be a hoot for you and your friends. You just need to keep in mind that nothing is truly erased from the internet. You never know what might annoy a potential client or hiring manager, and that photo might be the one thing that costs you your dream job.