The Internet is a two-way street: It has invaded our lives as our lives have invaded it. With the information superhighway beamed down to almost every device we can get our hands on, future employers are starting to catch on.
Like a dirty digital cover letter, the Internet has the possibility to have future employers look at more than just where you went to high school. But do employers actually check to see what they can find out about you online?
“Yes, they are checking,” Lorraine McKnight, senior career coach at Eastern Michigan University, said. “Studies show that when considering candidates for internships and professional positions that social/professional networking candidate searches are part of their research to see if you are a ‘fit’ for the job and company.”
An employer snooping through your digital life might seem intrusive, but if you don’t take the right precautions to protect your online persona, anyone might be able to see what you post online.
“Change your privacy setting to friends only and make sure that you are not automatically searchable,” McKnight said.
This is an easy way to eliminate some of your online footprint, and keep prying employers from seeing more than you would like them to, like those party photos.
The Golden Home Retirement Community might not want to see you downing some Friday night drinks as you apply to take care of their residents.
With employers going online to aid in their applications selection, one of the questions being raised is if employers have a right to use personal information about you when they are considering hiring you.
“With all the way technology is going I would not be surprised if putting your social network profile address would be a requirement on job applications,” Cassie Marsh, an EMU junior, said.
A quick Google search can bring almost anyone’s online presence, good or bad.
Many employers try to curb hiring dead-end employees and believe a look into someone’s personal life is a good indication of how a person is. Of course, not everything on the Internet is true.
“We have to be careful how much validity we put into things posted online,” said Kaitlyn Burgett, an EMU junior. “There is ‘Facebook Official,’ but not everything online is actually official.”
“Personally, working in a Christian daycare center has made me stop and think twice about what I write or post,” Marsh said. “I don’t want my coworkers or patrons thinking less of me for an inappropriate post.”
There are appropriate posts that might even help your career prospects, though.
“An appropriate post for students looking for employment is to post their networking activities to advance their goals,” McKnight said.
“Posts [of] something along the lines of, ‘Does anyone know someone that volunteered for the Peace Corp.’ and ‘I am interested in xyz company’s internships, more later,’ would be appropriate.”
Don’t go online and post foul or degrading things for others to see.
“Don’t be stupid with what you post online,” said Cody Brigham, a local store manager who wishes to keep his place of employment anonymous. “I have had to delete people I work with from Facebook because of what they post about working. Sometimes I do it to avoid writing them up.”
You could also join a professional network, like Linkedin.com, suggested McKnight. Linkedin.com is a professional networking site with the goal of linking professionals in similar industries together. This is a great way to present yourself in a professional manner while still being able to share your life with
friends. Linkedin is like Facebook, but with a lot less poking.
If you are still having trouble with your career prospects, McKnight suggests scheduling an appointment to meet with a UACDC Career Services representative in McKenny, room 200.
