1. Employer use of social media to screen applicants has increased dramatically, with 45% of companies in 2009 using Facebook compared to just 20% in 2006. 2. Employers have found applicant social media profiles containing inappropriate photos, drug use, and poor communication skills, which can cause candidates to not be hired. 3. However, 18% of employers have also found profiles that cause them to hire a candidate, such as those showing good personality fit, qualifications, and skills.

1. The impact of facebook on job opportunities By Laura Heying

2. Who’s Looking at your Facebook Page? About 7.5 million college students have Facebook accounts. In 2006, 20% of companies were using Facebook to screen job applicants. In 2009, the amount of companies using Facebook to screen applicants jumped to 45%. Another 11% of companies plan to start using social networking sites to screen applicants.

3. Who’s Looking at your Facebook Page? Many employers say that they have figured out how to view profiles that are set to private. Sometimes employers scanning Facebook find things like drug use, orgies, illegal behavior, and underdressed/sexy pictures—these things will not get you hired. The top industries that screen Facebook are those specializing in technology and sensitive information: Information Technology (63%) and Professional & Business Services (53%).

5. Candidate posted content about them drinking or using drugs- 44%

6. Candidate bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients- 35%

7. Candidate showed poor communication skills- 29%

8. Candidate made discriminatory comments- 26%

9. Candidate lied about qualifications- 24%

11. Profile supported candidate’s professional qualifications- 39%

12. Candidate was creative- 38%

13. Candidate showed solid communication skills- 35%

14. Candidate was well-rounded- 33%

15. Other people posted good references about the candidate- 19%

16. Candidates received awards and accolades- 15% 18% of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them to hire the candidate!

17. Preventative Actions There are some things you can do to your Facebook page before a job search! Clean up your page before your job search. Remove photos, content, and links that may be undesirable to an employer. Keep conflicts off-line. Keep your page professional and positive! Remember that others can see comments that are not your own. Don’t be scared to delete or block comments. Don’t mention your job search on Facebook if you’re still employed.

18. Getting Fired Because of Facebook, Twitter, or Blogs An intern decided to write about stories on her personal blog about her very own Devil Wears Prada-esque experience working at Cutrone’s company. Needless to say, Cutrone read this post, immediately called the intern and publicly fired her in front of the rest of the interns. Kelly Cutrone Kelly has been seen working as the boss of Lauren Conrad on The Hills and on her own reality show called Kell On Earth. Kelly is known as a boss who doesn’t put up with bullshit. Don’t Be a Gossip Girl

19. Should Employers be Judging Someone Based on Their FacebookAccount? Many college students don’t like knowing that employers are checking out their Facebook. But, many times someone’s Facebook account can tell a lot about someone.

20. Not Just for Facebook Many employers not only look at Facebook, but also LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, and other social networking sites, so apply the rules to all of the sites. Don’t make the common mistakes! Facebook can hurt or help you depending on your actions! Don’t let Facebook hinder your chances at getting that big job!

21. Sources 10 Privacy Settings all Facebook Users Should Know Too Much information- social media and giving out too much information Student Awareness of the Privacy Implications When Using Facebook, Pashly and Giovani. Employers look at facebook too- CBSnews Oregon Business Report- 45% of employers use facebook-twitter to screen applicants by Jennifer Grasz Cosmopolitan Magazine-May 2010 issue. How to impress the hell out of your boss by, Kelly Cutrone. She tells a story about how she fired someone over a blog post.