By: Jillian

Jillian — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:39:53 +0000

I think you’ve definitely brought up an interesting point and I can see it from both sides. If I was an employer and had the ability to do a bit of investigation about a potential employee, it would be hard to resist. The information is all there – what the person’s interests are, how they present themselves to the public, their motivations (or lack of), their thoughts – so, why not? I think that people who use social networking sites (myself included) have a difficult time separating their work selves from their social selves. We all have different versions of ourselves that we reveal and hide when the situation calls for it – the tact involved is choosing when to do so. Speaking from personal experience, I have my Facebook set to private and it can only be viewed in its entirety by those I know and trust – my friends and family. If I were going to present a public profile, one that may be viewed by a prospective employer – I’d make sure that the Jillian I was representing would be more formal, more refined and professional. If you don’t control the content you post and assume that people will have to take you as you always are, you’re then subject to criticism for, say, having a glass of wine. This all boils down to being smart about how you use the internet.

Comments on: Food for Thought – Social Networking and Privacy

By: Jillian