The job market as we knew it is changing and the change is affecting how we blog, how we interact online. 
With the introduction of social networking sites such as MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin, plus with us posting to our blogs; what we feel, what we think, what sites we link to and what we believe, is no longer being viewed by just a select few but possibly by “private eye” type companies hired by potential future employers, or even our current employer, to spy on us.
Today’s Lesson
Although Google and Facebook are usually the spots where potential employers or clients look for information about us, if a professional social networking surveillance company is hired, no stone goes unturned.
Take, for example, Social Intelligence Corp (a division of RivData), who describe what they do as follows:
Social Intelligence Corp solely generates reports based on employer pre-defined criteria, both positive and negative. Negative examples include racist remarks or activities, sexually explicit photos or videos, and illegal activity such as drug use. Positive examples include charitable or volunteer efforts, participation in industry blogs, and external recognition.
Companies like this will find all of our blog posts, comments we left on other blogs, links we like, tweets on Twitter and posts on Facebook. Although we can delete some of the derogatory statements/photographs, if we’re in the job pool/market now, it may be too late.
Knowing this is happening can raise fear in bloggers. In fact, we may become so fearful, we either don’t start a blog or if we do, we become blogging sheeple, never expressing our true beliefs, but instead “playing nice” and acting like we don’t have a backbone. If it appears we don’t have an opinion or are wishy-washy on most topics, that could be construed to mean we cannot make decisions. Even small ones.
On the other hand, if we’re outspoken and share views that go against what a potential employer or client is looking for, would we be a good match for them anyway? And…would we even want to work for a company/client who isn’t accepting of opposing views?
I know some of you will say, “I’ll just blog/tweet/Facebook and use a pseudonym (fake name). That way I can say whatever I want”. In actuality that could hurt us. In the event our goal is to build up a clientele or develop a digital footprint which will benefit us in the future, all of the work we’ve done using the pseudonym could be wasted. Plus, not showing any online activity could appear suspicious.
Building a digital footprint and being aware of the breadcrumbs we leave on the world wide web can be daunting, however if done right, it could lead to great success and/or that dream job.
What say you?
Today’s Assignment
If your online activity was investigated, how would you score?
Based on your digital footprint, if you were in the market for an assistant, would you hire you?
Care to share?
~Barbara
For links to other posts on this topic, check out:
- Do You Pass the Social Media Recruitment Test? (Mashable)
- Social Media and Employment Law: Six Things You Need To Know (Monster Thinking)
- Yes, Virginia, HR Execs Check Your Facebook Page (Gigaom)
- Pre-employment Social Media Screening Deemed Legal, posted on Reppler, which is,
…a social media monitoring service designed to keep your social reputation clean and safe.
Photo Credit: Felipe Venâncio
Something I have never thought about because I haven’t been in the job market for a year or two now. Basically I try not to say things that are derogatory but I do express my opinions on the things I talk about. However, as most of my blogs are very general and a lot to do with food, I don’t think there would be anything to put off a potential employer.
Hi Jo,
Good point. If we stay away from derogatory remarks or blog about general topics and food, it would be pretty difficult for a potential employer to take issue with our entries.
I would score just fine if my on-line activity were investigated, I believe. Now, some of my “friends” on Facebook wouldn’t fare so well. They don’t seem to understand the potential long term consequences of what nastiness or nonsense they”share.”
So far as digital footprint, there is a lot out there and it’s pretty tame in nature, so I would appear pretty productive.
So far as looking for work, I don’t thing my potential employers are very sophisticated when it comes to the on-line world.
(Besides, I’m counting the days down to returning to a period of full retirement.) 😉
Hi Mike,
I hear you. Some people throw caution to the wind.
Good for you for being so close to full retirement. No worries for you, hey?
Totally true, everything you do, especially on platforms you can’t control can come back to haunt you. Of course, someone can just as easily pretend to be you such as on comments.
Hi John,
I never thought of that; how someone could pretend to be us. That said, I think it would be pretty easy to prove it’s not us if we’ve taken care to protect our digital footprint on our blogs and on social networking sites.
I think overall I am okay. When I talk about my job, it is in the most general terms. If I need to vent, this is what my journal beside my bed is for. Most of my friends, except a small number, know about my blog. Plus, I don’t have it connected to Facebook. So I would hire me.
Hi Silly Girl,
I like your idea of using a journal to vent in. If what’s bugging us is not published on our blogs or on a social networking site, we’ve got our backside covered. 🙂
In general, I don’t talk about my job on my blog, simply because I am too lazy to think about what part is confidential and which part is not. As for my opinion and world views, since I consider everything I posted public (and they are), then I assume that there’s a possibility that anyone can come across it one day. So I wouldn’t post anything that I am afraid of saying “yes, I did say that and believe that” if asked by a person face to face. But of course, this means I do leave it out if some of my opinions are more extreme on certain subjects, which might or might not be a good thing, blogging-wise.
And really, if you establish enough of a online presence, you can sort of bury unflattering things under other the search results you do control. And I am not particularly interested in working with someone that will rule me out just like that, anyway.
Hi Kelvin,
Like you, I’d be concerned if a potential employer was so petty they took issue with an occasional off colored remark. If they’re that strict, like you, I wouldn’t be interested in working for them.
So far I have not provided anything in the internet that could risk my relationship with my employer. I am grateful for the warning Barbara. Anyone can access our profile and it is wise that we are careful about the information we provide as well as the things we write in the internet.
You’re welcome Jason,
You’re right. Anyone can access the information we publish online. All the more reason to self monitor our online remarks or posts.
Throughout my career, one of the best rules of thumb was to never put anything in print that I was not willing to stand behind. The best person for me to criticize, poke fun at or tell secrets about is me. If I have to look to others to do any of those things, I generally let it be.
On the other hand, I do participate in e-petitions that have saved whales, women from being stoned, government decisions, etc. So I guess I could be pegged an E-Activist.
One last point – even though I think I am writing something that is innocent or even positive, it can still be misconstrued, twisted or turned into something other than the original intent.
I becoming more and more grateful to be out of the work force. Young people are turning new turf in this arena.
Hi Amy,
Isn’t that the truth? If’s a new world for the younger generation.
You’ve raised a good point. When we participate in e-petitions, we could be labeled wrongly. That said, if a potential employer takes the opposite stance on that which we’re passionate about, we probably wouldn’t want to work for them anyway.
Very interesting. We need to be hyper-aware of our online identities, and what comes up when potential employers Google your name. Studies show that the vast majority of employers in 2011 DO search potential employees names on the internet and all SORTS of unsavory personal information is coming up for a lot of people. We need to exercise restraint and subtlety online. Remember that you are sending this information out to the global community for everyone to see!
Hi Freddy,
That’s a good point. Many people forget that when they hit the “publish” button, their words are out there for the whole world to see. The same goes for photos which we share online.
I have not been working for almost a year now but when I was working I tried not to rant about my job online. By nature I am not a racist person, so there is no question of me posting racist comments. But like someone mentioned above, if someone is hell bent on ruining your career and online reputation, they can easily use your name and post wrongful comments.
Hi Daniel,
You’re comment makes me wonder if we’ll see more of that- where some may try to ruin the online reputation of others. You know, kind of like identity theft, but of a different sort. As I mentioned in an earlier comment, we probably could prove “them” wrong, however it could be time consuming.
I’m pretty sure any potential boss wouldn’t find anything I write objectionable. Even my twitter account follows people on both sides of the political spectrum. It’s not that I’m wishy-washy and don’t have opinions. I just tend to see things from both sides and prefer having a more objective view of everything so I tend not to weigh in on controversial issues. Even on forums, I prefer taking a logical stance and will admit if I’ve failed to take something into consideration. I don’t use emotional arguments because emotions aren’t conducive to good debate. I also don’t use bad words or name calling. I think that’s mean so I don’t do it. If a forum has a lot of that, I click away.
My blog is about parenting in a generally light-hearted way and even though I had a few readers email me and tell me I was insane for letting kids draw on walls, when I posted a new article explaining my theory with a logical argument as to why, (I also emailed them), two out of three replied back that I wasn’t so crazy.
I think a future boss might look at my stuff and see I come up with creative new ideas because I look at problems from a different angle. Sometimes my theories work and sometimes they don’t. Either way, I’m not following the herd blindly.
Hi Maddie,
I know exactly what you’re saying because I do the same thing. Like you, I want to hear both sides; then I can decided for myself. If a potential employer had a problem with that, I think they’d be missing out on hiring a well rounded person.
I read your post about letting your kids draw on the walls. I like how you included your reasoning and also admitted your “experiment” could backfire. We don’t know if we don’t try, hey?
Barbara,
Thank you for reading my post! I can appreciate how busy you are and feel honored that you took the time!
By the way, the experiment is still not working but one of the twins is following me around as I scrub the walls. She seems interested in the concept and we have fun while she just “hangs out” so I have my fingers crossed.
Thank you again!
Maddie
My online investigation would be fair. When topics or niches become competitive you always run the risk of bogus people out there trying to mess you up with a fake testimonial if you run an online store. In the real world it is easier to deal with people face to face so they can get a feel of your business work and personality. I think the over all idea now a days is to use a little critical thinking.
Hi Lila,
That’s true. There are some people who will try to mess us up, push our buttons, or even lie. I think, like you said, that’s where a face to face meeting is beneficial and our expressions and body language can be evaluated, as well.
“Negative examples include racist remarks or activities, sexually explicit photos or videos, and illegal activity such as drug use.” If this is what’s considered as negative, then I have no problem with that. The problem is when a potential employer decides against hiring you because of personal beliefs that are different than theirs, but not racist etc.
Hi Vered,
I hear you. If an employer is only looking for people who think exactly as they do, they’ll end up with a group of puppets.
Hi Barbara! Great questions! Boy I guess I’m lucky I’m not in the job market. One look at my blog and I’m sure some may think I’m a crazy radical foodie, anti-government, anti-huge corporations and for Godsake I make my own laundry soap! Nope. No hope for me getting hired – UNLESS it is for someone to tell it like it is and help people (slap them) healthy!
Hugs
suZen
Thank you SuZen,
LOL. So what you’re saying is you don’t see yourself working for the government or Big Pharma anytime soon?
Seriously, with what all you know, you’d be a great addition to any company who is looking out for the safety and health of the every day person.
P.S. I’ll have to get your laundry soap recipe from you. That’s a topic I’ve been researching lately.
That’s an interesting question – would I hire myself? I think it’s very difficult to get a good idea of what someone is like based on their online presence – particularly when it comes to the activities of friends. I think the bottom line is that I would never want to work for a company that would use this tactic to vet future employees. Not because I don’t like what they are doing but because I’m unlikely to enjoy working for them if that’s the way they go about business.
Hi Lauren,
You’ve raised a good point. Would we want to work for someone who uses this tactic to find/screen potential employees? Even if we don’t have anything to hide, it’s like they’re spying on us. What does that say about how they run their business?
As a person who has been in the job market the past 3 years – well I just find the whole thing discouraging over my whole lifetime…now it is just easier to figure out I am OLD and KIND and maybe not tough enough, but certainly not who they are looking for….
No one seems to understand what an Adult Educator is or does…and then when I say I teach people how to think and use their minds – Holy Cow everyone goes on the defensive and begins attacking….
Today, I am just staying home and reading a book – feeling safe and comfortable – have had enough of being out on the range.
Hi Patricia,
Supposedly these “surveillance” companies do not reveal any information which could cause discrimination, however if a potential employer did their own research, they could (sometimes) figure out our age/range and even though legally that isn’t supposed to be held against us, who’s to say it isn’t?
That’s an interesting topic. Indeed what we say online can really hurt us because the internet has a memory and it’s harder to erase/impossible to erase your digital footprint.
I really don’t like to reveal too much personal info online. So, my work is online, but my personal info is with my real friends.
Thank you Mia,
You’re right. The internet does have a memory which is hard to erase. Even though we may delete posts or photos, who’s to say the information hasn’t been copied or reproduced elsewhere.
All the more reason to separate our on and offline worlds.
Another very interesting post for this humble apprentice blogger!
Having readers you did not expect does raise some questions. As a physician working in a buzzy hospital environment, showing interest in meditation and writing poetry (instead of being hard at work giving it your 130% scientific) might be construed as being a little cuckoo. Certainly food for thought.
Keep writing. I’ll be reading!
Thank you Valerie,
Your comment also makes me ask, “if someone misconstrues what we share and they label us as “cuckoo”, would we even want to work for them?” I think not. 🙂
I’m very sure that I write nothing but good stuff. I always make sure that I have different account for my job and for my personal. Since my digital prints can still be found, I don’t give out too much personal info. Thanks for the good read!
You’re welcome April,
That’s smart. To keep your job and personal information separate. For those who do business online it can be more difficult, however it could be beneficial to create separate accounts in some situations.
I make it a rule to stay true to myself in my online activities. That means that I don’t take the anonymity of the internet for granted. I don’t do things against my nature and definitely don’t post or do things that would be embarrassing to myself or others. I think most people will find that I’m pretty much the same in real life as I am on the internet. So, yes if I was an employer, I would hire me! 🙂
Hi Richard,
I agree. If we show integrity in real life and online, if a potential employer were to meet us, there wouldn’t be any surprises. That said, I’ll bet those who research folk online, see how some are living a double life.
Hi Barbara .. I have to say I’m glad I’m no longer looking for work etc .. and I’ve tried to be sensible on the net wherever I am (I’m sure I’ve slipped occasionally) – not v many places often .. and thank goodness I’m older, perhaps wiser, and now careful in my thoughts – though heaven knows – everything seems to be available.
It’s good that everyone starts to sit and think about these things .. what you do at 14 or 16 .. is not what you want thrown in your face (mentioned) in a few years time .. embarrassment to die for!!
Cheers .. Hilary
Hi Hilary,
Good point. For the younger generations this topic can be more daunting. At the age of 14 or 16, I’m sure they’re not thinking about how what they share can bite them in the backside when they’re older. However, I’d hope an employer also takes a person’s age into consideration when evaluating negative activity from a person’s past.
I am always very careful about the things I say online. I think that everyone really should be because this IS something we have to worry about. I know of someone whose coworker was fired for attendance. The coworker posted on her Facebook that she’d been fired and my acquaintance went off on her wall saying bad things about the company and how it’s lame they fired her. My acquaintance got in big trouble — pulled into the boss’s office for this behavior. You just can’t act however you want online — you have to be professional — and really, people should just always be respectful and professional.
Hi Melanie,
Thank you for sharing the story of your acquaintance. That goes to show what can happen if we’re not careful what we share online.
Food for thought. I think pen-names are a good idea, and there’s no reason why they can’t be business related. Yeah sure things we did in our youth could haunt us.. but fortunately for most of us that’s not much of an issue – and all the young kids are pretty switched onto it all.
We adapt. 🙂
Hi Guy,
Yes. Pen names can work. And like you said, if they’re business related, we can remain professional looking.
At the company I work for we go through periods of temps. I train them on our social media policy and this exact topic in terms of job searching. People in their teens and younger twenties don’t seem to understand the implication of the things they say on the internet. I agree that a company should definitely take into consideration the person’s age when reviewing online comments.
For me personally, I stay away from controversial topics. I don’t write or blogs about things like political affiliations or anything hot in the political word. If I can’t express my opinion in an “educated” way, I wouldn’t express it at all. And I definitely stay away from internet bullying!
Hi Erica,
Thank you for sharing what you’re seeing amongst the younger generation – how some of them do not understand the implication of their published words. With peer pressure being so strong, it can’t be easy not to join in.
Here’s another thought about using pen-names. If you have a domain name, it is easy enough for people to find out who owns that domain. It takes a little bit of digging but it can be done, thus exposing you to the real world.
That being said, I like using a pen-name and I have done my best to build that as my brand.
Even though I have that level of limited-protection there, I still think critically before I post something online. After all, you can’t ever really take it back once it has been published.
Hi Chase,
I’m glad you brought that up. Even though a pen name is used, in some instances a quick check online can reveal who owns the site.
I like your idea of using a pen name and then building your brand around it. It sounds like you gave that a lot of thought prior to setting up your blog which I think is key – thinking into the future.
Hi Barbara, with this post, I just remembered that one Facebook incident wherein an employee was ranting about her boss and her job in Facebook, little did she remember that her boss is one of her friends in the social networking site. She got fired by her boss through Facebook in the comment portion of her ranting post. I guess, with all of these, we should also be responsible whom we befriend with our social media accounts and as far as work is concerned, we should keep it private and professional. 😀
Hi Minerva,
That’s so true. Even if we don’t rant, we should be careful who we’re friending on Facebook. And even then, who’s to say we don’t friend someone and they show our wall/profile to someone else.
All the more reason to keep private things private and act professional when online.
Hmm, true. Should we all try to manage our digital footprint in hope for getting something better. It seems wise not to rant through blogs, discussion boards etc. but on the other hand it seems almost too sleek and calculative to build your digital footprint to look good.
Hi Teekauppa,
Personally I don’t think we should tweak our digital footprint and pretend we’re someone we’re not, however we should be aware of our footprint prior to hitting publish/share/comment.
Hi Barbara,
As always, and excellent post and great food for thought.
If I were hiring someone the first thing I would do is google their name. Wouldn’t you?
You are absolutely right when you say our online status is an important factor to consider as well as our real life status.
Perhaps the two are just reflections of themselves.
Thanks,
Julie
Thank you Julie,
Yes. If I was hiring someone, I’d Google their name AND see if they’re on Facebook, Twitter and/or Google +. As an employer, you could find out more by what they’re sharing online than you can in a 15-20 minute interview – when they’re putting their best foot forward.
You bring up some VERY good points! It’s so easy to say something offensive or to over share on the internet and as you know, even deleting what you’ve said won’t necessarily work. Prospective employers have easy access to your thoughts and past actions if you do not watch yourself. But you are right that building a digital footprint can be useful if used in the right way.
Thank you Jane,
That’s the sad part – much of the information we’ve already shared online is there to stay. As for digital footprints, we can control what’s there, as long as we’re aware and blog/network responsibly.
Wow you have a lot of responses. When I am online I try to be polite, as I am in general. I am opinionated “in real life” and will speak my mind, including in comments and in blog posts. I am obliged not to speak about the details of my work at all times and so I do not do so online.
Some of my views on government may not sit well with my employer (I do not know for sure) but I blog about them anyway.
A life where you are muzzled and are not allowed to influence your environment is a life not worth living and decidedly un-American.
That said, many times I err on the side of caution.
Hi Rick,
I agree. We shouldn’t feel like we have to muzzle ourselves. In fact, many people blog because they know they have freedom of speech.
Like you said though, to err on the side of caution is sometimes a better choice.
Blogging suppose to be a place where people expressing their thought and believe freely. However look like it now can be a negative impact to a blogger.
Also, for some country blogging issue about politic is a crime.
Hi Amani,
Thank you for bringing that up – how in some countries it’s a crime to blog about politics.
Unfortunately blogging can have a negative impact on us – depending on what we share. For that reason, I think it’s important we blog responsibly and cite reliable sources in our posts.
I think that companies like Social Intelligence Corp should be shut down, that’s a total invasion of privacy. What does our facebook, twitter or myspace account have to do with our work ethic or our job performance.
Hi Ashley,
I think a lot of people have that same view point. Unfortunately with the internet being “public”, whatever we share anywhere online appears to be fair game.
Reading things like this makes me a little bit scared.. I think my identity is mine and no one should be able to find out my thoughts unless I say/write to them. But generally I understand that this “control” can be good too.. Time will show 🙂
Hi Peter,
I hear you. It can be scary, but I think once we realize we’re building a digital footprint (which can be read by anyone and can be beneficial in the long run), we blog and/or communicate on social networks more responsibly.
I probably would hire me if I know the personality on.. me, but looking only by the skills I would probably hire someone from philipines or india because of that low payrate..
Hi Varti,
Good point. Some people may be more qualified, but if someone is trying to save money, they may go for someone who will work for less.
We need to be careful on things we share or write on internet as everything that we post online is visible to everyone. As far as I am concerned I have not or would not post anything which I should deny when anybody understands them and questions me about them. But anyways thank you for the warning Barbara!
You’re welcome Dixia,
That’s a good reminder – how what we post online is visible to everyone. All the more reason to think twice before we hit “publish” since our words can come back to bite us.
Hey Barbara – Pretty cool post. I had never heard of these types of companies before but it sounds pretty interesting. One could definitely learn a lot about a person through reading about them on social networks so it makes sense.
Thank you Party Bus Sue,
Yes. What we share online says a lot about us. All the more reason to self monitor and create a positive footprint.
It could come down to your potential boss not liking an opinion you shared on Facebook or Twitter and refusing to hire you. Perhaps you’re too controversial for your employer or the culture you live in. This would be a shame. I think only LinkedIn (even though each profile could be a lie just like a CV) should be the main source of socially available intelligence on employees.