You probably realized very quickly how popular social networking sites have become when your mother wrote her first post on your "Wall." Almost everyone has a social network of choice these days (Facebook, My Space, Twitter, Linked In), and because checking your social network page has become as common as your morning coffee or your 5 minute Yahoo! News break, you have to remember the frequency by which your information is being shared.
Social networks allow you to operate both personally and professionally and many times, mix the two. But the old adage exists for a reason - business and pleasure don't mix! I heard on the radio this morning that 4 out of 10 college recruiters check the web while reviewing applications. So when that ivy-league school your son or daughter is applying to finds out that he/she had a blast at Senior Skip Day, it could very well affect whether or not they will get in.
The same goes for employers, as well! You better believe that recruiters, hiring managers and executive management are surfing the net to uncover incriminating evidence about current and potential employees. So if you are looking for a job, or intend on keeping the one you've got, make sure to use some discretion on your public profiles. I am not saying that you have to take the fun out of social networking, but just make sure you properly adjust your privacy settings. At the very least, remove any offensive or outlandish information that can be viewed by the general public, and make it so that your picture files can only be viewed by your friends. This is especially critical while you are job hunting.
As a recruiter/headhunter, I want to make sure the talent that I am representing to my clients is representing me well, too! I will definitely check profiles of candidates for any provocative or inappropriate material. We have had instances where hiring managers declined an interview with a super-star candidate due to inappropriate pictures on their My Space page from a scandalous Halloween party.
Social networking pages are the wave of the future, and there is plenty of legitimate business to find by using social networking tools to your advantage. Just remember that it will serve you best if you err on the side of caution, and make sure you are putting your best foot forward for the online world to see. Consider your online profile like a nice business dinner with a client - you can have a glass of wine with your dinner - but avoid the shots of tequila as the night progresses!
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