I was amused, tickled and exasperated in equal measures reading this article by ZDNet Asia – Job hunters should avoid risky online behavior. In summary, the article claimed that job seekers should avoid putting themselves at risk by publishing inappropriate material on their social profiles, as employers have been found to reject possible candidates based on what they found online.
Now wait a minute. Are you saying that I should block/censor/vet every single tweet, status update, photos, shoutouts and checkins I do online so that my future in my next job would not be compromised?
You gotta be kidding me.
The article was written in such a way to “scare” job seekers in thinking that there are more harm than good in using social media actively. All in the name of fear what their future employers may found out about them.
Let’s flip this theory on its head: You should put even more of yourself into social profiles so that your employers know more about you at a personal and professional levels. While certain privacy level should be maintained, your level of activities on these networks may well be the reason you are hired into your next job.
The key here is self control. If you are really that damaged an individual, then you are really not worth being hired. If you think something is damaging to your reputation, than for the name of God don’t share it. Or at least, restrict who can access it.
At the same time, flaunt your expertise and knowledge on your blog. Have a sense of humour on Twitter. Be outgoing on Foursquare. Be prolific on Facebook.
We live in an age of social media. It will be sooner rather than later when all these will be as common as IMs and SMS.
So get on with the programme and practise common sense. And get that new job.
P.S.: And oh, if you are a recruiter and you don’t really like what you see in this post or on my online profiles…. well, probably I won’t like working for you too.
U're right about this Raz, instead of cowering in fear behind ur monitor and trying to hide all tracks of ur existence online, use social media platforms to your benefit, and you might even get hired through these means.
I got both my Social Media jobs via social networking sites, and have received countless invitations for interviews, from headhunters and agencies, via LinkedIn. What many don't realize is that LinkedIn is one of the many ways headhunters look for candidates these days, so it's definitely a good idea for all job hunters to update their profiles, and get connected with people.
Another thing you're right about: if you're really a damaged individual, nothing you're gonna do is going to be help you hide that fact.. hahahaha.
Hey Raz thanks for the link!
I like your thoughts on the matter, and self control being the start point. As one of my friend likes to say “privacy is up to you and how much you want to share”. Should one post thought-provoking posts (like yours)? Yes! Should one post about the last party they got drunk at… well maybe not.
I always like to flip this around and say wouldn't employers be suspicious if they google/facebook/linkedin someone and find nothing? That's a sure sign of proactively hiding things, and if I were an employer, I'd be wondering what they're trying to hide.
I was talking to one of my recent hires the other day about similar issue. He claimed that “online identities do not contribute effectively” to his career, and weak link between his “online and offline personas” is necessary at this age.
Little did he know that I researched him online, and he got his first interview because his blog and participation in forums.
The irony.
Daryl, I like how you flip around the argument. However we have to acknowledge that in certain markets/industries not everyone will be online. Also a digital presence may not be entirely critical to, say, a marcom agency. But because of my own background, I need my staff and bosses to speak the same language. If they can't concur with me with this post, then perhaps we don't belong in the same company.
I was talking to one of my recent hires the other day about similar issue. He claimed that “online identities do not contribute effectively” to his career, and weak link between his “online and offline personas” is necessary at this age.
Little did he know that I researched him online, and he got his first interview because his blog and participation in forums.
The irony.
Daryl, I like how you flip around the argument. However we have to acknowledge that in certain markets/industries not everyone will be online. Also a digital presence may not be entirely critical to, say, a marcom agency. But because of my own background, I need my staff and bosses to speak the same language. If they can't concur with me with this post, then perhaps we don't belong in the same company.
I was talking to one of my recent hires the other day about similar issue. He claimed that “online identities do not contribute effectively” to his career, and weak link between his “online and offline personas” is necessary at this age.
Little did he know that I researched him online, and he got his first interview because his blog and participation in forums.
The irony.
Daryl, I like how you flip around the argument. However we have to acknowledge that in certain markets/industries not everyone will be online. Also a digital presence may not be entirely critical to, say, a marcom agency. But because of my own background, I need my staff and bosses to speak the same language. If they can't concur with me with this post, then perhaps we don't belong in the same company.