Exposed: Why Employers Are Using Social-Networking Sites to Screen Candidates

You've finally found it - your dream job. You've tweaked your resume to include your latest accomplishments; you've written a killer cover letter, complete with three glowing references; and you've spoken directly to the hiring manager. The only thing that's standing between you and impending employment is the formal interview process, which you'll surely ace.

Not so fast. Before you start envisioning how you're going to decorate your new office, consider the message you may be unintentionally sending to prospective employers. More specifically, look closely at your social-networking profiles. Do pictures on your Facebook and MySpace pages suggest that partying is your number one priority? Or, do they convey that you're a seemingly restrained individual who would make a wonderful addition to any workplace? Although this may seem trivial, chances are that it matters more than you think.

A Startling Trend

According to a 2008 study conducted by CareerBuilder.com, one in five employers regularly utilizes social-networking websites to screen potential job candidates. What's more, one-third of this group has actually rejected applicants based upon the dirt they've dug up on them. According to Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.com, "Hiring managers are using the Internet to get a more well-rounded view of job candidates in terms of their skills, accomplishments and overall fit within the company." And, because people use social-networking sites at their own risk, all of the information gleaned from these resources is fair game.

Ways to Protect Yourself

To prevent prospective employers from finding anything incriminating on you, follow these three easy tips:

1.) Set your profile to private: Yes, it's that easy. Both Facebook and MySpace have privacy controls that allow you to prohibit certain people from viewing your profile. Remember to always set your pages to private, which means that the only people who can access them are those you've accepted as "friends."

2.) Take down any incriminating photos: Future employers don't want to see pictures of you dressed up as your favorite superhero for Halloween. A general rule of thumb is that if you would be embarrassed for your grandmother to see a picture, then it probably isn't appropriate to have on your profile. Note: It's beneficial to always err on the side of caution. Although most employers would probably shrug off a picture of you drinking margaritas, it's better to be safe than sorry.

3.) Refrain from joining any questionable groups: Again, use the "grandmother" rule. Would a 90-year-old woman find the nature of the forum inappropriate? If so, leave the group. Since it's impossible to know what could offend someone, it's smart to exercise extreme caution.

Personally, I can attest to how social-networking sites can prevent managers from hiring skilled candidates. At my last job, I was responsible for interviewing and hiring a summer intern. Although there were many qualified applicants, I narrowed down my search to two individuals and decided to interview both of them. The first candidate, a young woman, seemed like a wonderful fit for the position. However, after finding an extremely offensive picture on her Facebook profile, I quickly changed my mind. In the end, I offered the position to the male candidate, who was actually weaker on some levels. The moral of the story? Use discretion with social-networking sites and take down any material that could be deemed offensive by prospective employers.

Does your workplace screen job applicants' Facebook and MySpace profiles? If so, has anyone ever been denied employment due to their content? Please share your thoughts on this potentially divisive subject.