Introduction
Your online profile
Have you ever used Google or another search engine to find out what information about you is open for all to see on the internet?
Would you be happy for a potential employer to see any personal, and possibly embarrassing, photos, posts and/or blogs that are linked to you because of your use of social networking sites such as Facebook or Twitter?
Funny photos of that wild party last weekend may look very different when viewed in the future so make sure that whatever employers can see online won't mean that your CV or application form will be binned.
You need to:
- keep your social networking pages private
- only let your friends view or post on your page.
Even after taking these steps you will still need to be careful about what you post. It is never safe to post offensive comments about your job, colleagues or boss.
So........ think before you post a comment or blog, or add a photo on any site and check those privacy settings.
Can you get a job via a social network site?
Just as social media sites can potentially lose you a job the right profile can lead to job opportunities too.
Some companies use business networking sites such as 'linkedin' as a method of recruitment. For example Microsoft recently recruited specialist technical staff by using 'linkedin' rather than hiring a 'headhunter'. A 'headhunter' is a specialist recruitment consultant paid a fee by a business to identify individuals with the specialist skills that the company needs in its workforce.
Most social networking sites have special interest groups you can join that may lead to work. Joining one will show interest and help you make contacts.
Also don't forget online recruitment sites such as Twitter - or you could download an application such as TweetDeck's JobDeck to monitor vacancies that are advertised using Twitter or access the most popular job sites from or www.careersiteadvisor.com
