My Space Potential Downfall

My Space-Face Book-Potential Downfall

Research is a Two Way Street

These days, it seems that everyone who is anyone under the age of 30 has a MySpace or Facebook page. It is not unheard of for prospective employers to google a candidate to see what pops up. Just as candidates are expected to conduct as much research on a company before coming in, often a prospective boss will plug an interviewee’s names or e-mail address into MySpace or Facebook to see what, if anything, pops up

I like to prepare for meetings by knowing as much as I can about the people I'm going to meet.
My first question to this particular woman, after having read her profile on the popular online social network, was "What's a watermelon floater?" She laughed and said, "Oh, you do MySpace too," and she proceeded to explain this mixed drink. She passed the mini test-grace under pressure.

Sometimes candidates became nervous when they realize that an interviewer has seen their profiles plastered on the Internet. That shows me they might not be great under pressure or they might not react well to the unexpected. Like most employers, I want to hire people who aren't easily flummoxed and can easily go with the flow, which certainly includes handling curveballs.

The Unexpected Interview Question
Speaking of unanticipated interview questions, I recently spoke to a colleague who, during a mock interview with a college senior how she enjoyed her spring breaks in the Caribbean. She panicked. "Oh. Wait. Um, uh ... did I tell you I was going to the Islands or ... wait ...did you find my pictures on MySpace?"
The interviewer said nothing, waiting for her to figure out the answer herself. While that may sound cruel, she wanted her to regain her composure and think through the situation. Turns out, she was defensive for a reason.
While she had told the company that was going on this trip just before we scheduled the interview, it turns out she had posted beer-and-bikini photos with wild captions on her blog. Sitting now in her business attire, she worried that they might've seen those revealing snapshots.

Keep Things in Perspective
Most employers recognize that everyone is entitled to pursue fun and frivolity on their personal time. But companies do expect them to recognize that anything they post on the Internet -- from pictures on social sites to political rantings on blogs -- is fodder for conversation and, in some cases, will cost them opportunities without them even realizing it. And just as the things they do before they are hired are a reflection of them, the things they do once they're in the office are a reflection of the company.

So remember, nothing wrong with letting loose, but try to keep things in perspective. You'll be fine as long as you're comfortable knowing that current and future colleagues and employers -- especially those Internet savvy sleuths -- can and will find whatever you decide to put out on the world wide web. Be prepared to be held accountable or better yet-mark your settings to PRIVATE so only people you know and approve can see your site.

Helping You Find Peace and Prosperity
David Carroll
952-544-0117
www.thehomebusinesscompany.com