Is your future boss watching you???

More than one in five employers search social networking sites to screen job candidates, according to a survey of more than 31,000 employers released by CareerBuilder.com this week and reported in Computer World.

The study found that the number of hiring managers that are turning to social networks like MySpace and Facebook to check out candidates’ online behaviour has increased to 22% of employers from just 11% in 2006. Of the hiring managers who use social networks, 33% said they found information on such sites that caused them to STOP considering the candidate for a job, and 24% found content on social networks that HELPED

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CONVINCE THEM TO HIRE a candidate. These managers said that profiles showing a professional image and solid references can boost a candidate’s chances for a job.

The top areas of concern found on social networking sites include:

• Information about alcohol or drug use (41% of managers said this was a top concern)
• Inappropriate photos or information posted on a candidate’s page (40%)
• Poor communication skills (29%)
• Bad-mouthing of former employers or fellow employees (28%)
• Inaccurate qualifications (27%)
• Unprofessional screen names (22%)
• Notes showing links to criminal behaviour (21%)
• Confidential information about past employers (19%)

“Hiring managers are using the Internet to get a more well-rounded view of job candidates in terms of their skills, accomplishments and overall fit within the company,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder.com. “As a result, more job seekers are taking action to make their social networking profiles employer-friendly. 16% of workers who have social networking pages said they modified the content on their profile to convey a more professional image to potential employers”

The report recommends that job seekers:

• Remove pictures, content and links that can send the wrong message to potential employers.
• Update social networking profiles regularly to highlight latest accomplishments.
• Consider blocking comments to avoid questionable posts
• Avoid joining groups whose names could turn off potential employers.
• Consider setting their profile to private so only designated friends can view it.

You have been warned!