While there are many benefits to keeping a public social networking page, those looking for a new job may want to scale down their risqué photographs. Facebook and Twitter can help job seekers network and join similarly-minded online communities, but a new CareerBuilder survey reveals that employers are also scanning online profiles to get a real sense of potential candidates. The June 2009 survey asked over 2,600 hiring managers about their online reasearch practices and in this group, 53 percent disregarded a candidate because he or she posted inappropriate photographs or details on their page. A total of 35 percent responded that they found unsavory online content about a job seeker, and this information lead them to choose someone else for the job. In other words, un-tag those party pictures because 44 percent of hiring managers discovered images of interviewees drinking or doing drugs online. However, on a positive note, those who present themselves well online are likely to be rewarded. Around 50 percent of respondents said that a positive profile gave them a better insight into a candidate's personality and how he or she would fit with the company.  |