Generally, stating the obvious is a very annoying habit of far too many people, however when it comes to commonsense and social networking it seems like the imperative to be sensible is well worth repeating.
The latest example of what not to do online comes from a Reuters report advising us all not to give away too much on FaceBook or Twitter in case prospective employers find out about it.
Dead dogs
It cites a PR specialist, pointing out FaceBook posts about, "colonoscopies, dead teeth pulled, dead dogs, flatulence, adult acne, marital breakups, battles with mental illnesses and drinking problems."
Going on to put that avalanche of banality in the context of someone looking for a new job, it concludes: "If this information can make friends cringe... imagine the impression it would make on a potential employer."
Drugs as well
Throw in examples of people posting photos of themselves smoking drugs and making racist and/or sexist jokes and you have a pretty bleak picture of an online confederacy of dunces who'd likely never get up most days, never mind find a job.
Our advice, for what it's worth - next time you're considering putting anything at all personal online, just don't; it's tedious for us to read and might just stop you from snaring that big fat contract.
Your comments (5) Click to add a new comment
asd
August 10th 2009
5. i really dont understand why this is always in the news. if you are ignorant enough to not change privacy settings then you deserve to loose your job.
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m185874
August 10th 2009
4. "it's tedious for us to read..."
What on earth makes you think you'd make it into my friends list anyway? Do you seriously have nothing better to do with your time than reading strangers' social blog entries?!
As Westmeadboy points out, it's what the privacy settings are for anyway. Anyone who doesn't use them deserves all they get in my view.
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zzdinko
August 9th 2009
3. Wow, pretty scary when you think about it!
ER
www.anon-web-tools.net.tc
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westmeadboy
August 9th 2009
2. I don't get this - isn't this was Facebook Privacy Settings are for. If you don't make any of your Facebook content public, what's the problem?
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realsolutions
August 8th 2009
1. Fantastic point! You get to make a first impression only once, and sometimes it happens even before you apply for a job. This is a perfect case in point. See also: http://bit.ly/6NsZM on Examiner.com re: first impressions online.
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