CareerBuilder 
recently released survey results which said 45% of employers are researching social media sites to help them select the best job candidates. The percentage is probably higher but unreported. Businesses also trawl social media sites to weed out employees or deny promotions to employees. Employees or job candidates seldom know they have been screened in this manner. These facts alone should encourage job seekers to keep their social media presence squeaky clean.
You may have a negative social media presence even if you do not participate. Anyone with whom you are acquainted may have posted or tagged you with something an employer will view as a negative. Do yourself a huge favor and research social media sites to be certain your name is not linked to harmful information.
Businesses and governmental entities are setting guidelines for employee use of social media. Some prohibit social media use in the workplace or about the workplace. It would be easy for employees to inadvertently divulge proprietary information on social media sites. Many companies discourage supervisors from friending or being friended by subordinates. It is smart to know your employer’s social media policy before participating.
There are also social media etiquette guidelines to keep in mind. For example, excessive or self-involved posts make the writer appear narcissistic. To employers and co-workers, this behavior may resemble the Bette Midler character in the movie, Beaches. Self-involved CC Bloom floats the much repeated line, “But enough about me. What do you think about me?”
Businesses have the right to protect their computer networks from harmful viruses and information gathering. Social media has provided new ways for crooks and misguided opportunists to spread digital misery. Even the most digitally sophisticated users have been hacked and phished through social media.
Once you hit the send button, anything you have written can follow you for a long time. As the saying goes, enjoy wisely.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Avoiding Career Damage
Examples of Company Guidelines
Social Media Security Threats
Social Media Etiquette
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Forbes.com presents its take on social media etiquette.
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Other Social Media Information Gatherers
- Nationalterroralet.com explains the Government’s efforts to mine social media for pertinent information.
- FiLife a Wall Street Journal partner, profiles IRS social media trawling.
Take the following precautions, on a regular basis, to protect yourself from computer viruses and identity theft:
- Change your passwords frequently.
- Adjust your computer's privacy settings.
- Tell your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or social network administrator if your computer's security has been compromised.
Click Here to learn more about protecting yourself and your computer in online networks.