Social networking and job-hunting

Could your future boss be making a hiring decision based on your online profile? According to a new survey from CareerBuilder.co.uk, 27 per cent of employers in the UK said they either currently use social networking sites to research potential job candidates or plan to start

You may think that what you say and do on a social networking site is your own business but since these sites are accessible to everyone, it's not surprising that employers are also trawling through cyberspace to find background information about job applicants.

Potential employers were put off applicants who displayed poor communication skills or had posted provocative or inappropriate photos or information.

They were also looking at how the candidates portrayed themselves in a social setting and whether or not they had included information about drinking or using drugs. Any references to criminal behaviour could also count against the applicant.

Employers also use these sites to see if applicants lied about their qualifications or job titles. They were also interested in what people had to say about their previous company and fellow employees, so slagging off your boss is a no-no!

Any references to company business or confidential information are also frowned upon, as are derogatory remarks about others based on religion, gender or race.

Tony Roy, Managing Director of CareerBuilder.co.uk, said: 'Employers are not just using these sites to eliminate candidates, many are also viewing these tools as a way to get a more well-rounded view of a candidate.

'Social networking profiles can also give job seekers an edge over the competition. Candidates can use their profiles to better position themselves, network and provide additional information that cannot be found on a CV.'