Blogging on social networks can be dangerous to your health

Over the long weekend I was reading an article published by JobSearchinfo.com that was talking about blogging and career development. It got me to thinking about all of the social networking sites out there and the verbiage used by those posting on the sites. For instance when you are on Twitter and you are tweeking about a current issue such as the approval rating of President Obama, what kind of comments are you posting? Would you want your Mom to read them? Would you want a perspective employer to read them. How about on Facebook? Are you thinking about what you are writing or are you just venting?

The Internet has changed drastically in just the past few years. Facebook, Twitter, Friendster, My Space and all of the other blogging sites allow you to really express yourself. On the face of it, there is nothing wrong with expressing your thoughts and opinions. However, if you are a job seeker, know that this could be dangerous to your future. Nowadays, when you submit your resume to a company, you are also submitting all of the information you have posted on the Internet. When a company does a background check on you it doesn’t necessarily just mean that they are checking address information and criminal activity. They are checking up on you. They can find you on Facebook. What have you said on Facebook lately? Have you used words that you are ashamed of? Have you bad-mouthed a public figure? Have you said anything that you wish you could take back? Remember the old saying “a moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips?”. Same is true on the Internet - the Internet is forever.

Remember, companies have access to these sites as well. A resume is simply a snapshot of your qualifications but Facebook. Twitter and all of the other social networking sites are an indication of your character. The next time you are on the Internet and are making your opinions known, think about how those opinions could be dangerous to your employment health!

by Nancy Anderson, Staff Writer