Job Seekers and the New 360 Degree Reference Check

Erin Jacobs, VP of Marketing for Jobscience

Social networks like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube are facilitating what career counselors traditionally advised against -- blurring the lines between one’s personal and professional lives. Today, most people’s online social networks contain a combination of family, friends and professional contacts.

Social networking sites have also made finding information about a job candidate, co-worker or new boss easier than ever. Gone are the days that only the rich, famous and those running for political office worry about what an online search may expose about them. Now potential co-workers or employers can go way beyond 3 reference calls to find out more.

So what does the 360 degree reference check look like?

• A candidates’ personal behaviors can be scrutinized online just as easily as any of today’s political candidates.

• Studies show that over half of all job candidates fudge the truth on their resumes, whether it’s dates of employment, year of degree, certifications, or even job titles. Now it’s more difficult to get away with it -- when your life is documented online and connected to people who know you.

• Social Networks make it much harder to evade a contractual non-compete agreement -- when you or someone you hire updates a LinkedIn profile, tweet or posts information about where they've landed.

• Co-workers can look up new employees on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter profiles -- and quickly pass judgment – even before the first handshake.

Job seekers need to manage their online reputation and behavior – not only when looking for a new job, but as an ongoing employee. Personal information found using online social networks can either help or hinder relationships and potential success within an organization.

What does your online persona, and your social network, say about you?

* Source: Society of Human Resources

** Source:  http://www.1888articles.com/lying-on-your-resume-could-be-the-best-thing-you-could-do-for-your-career-085tf94p.html

Comments

[Recruitment Auckland]

Yes, anyone seeking work or dealing with any kinds of recruitment agencies should be VERY careful about what they write online socially. I have a recruitment agency myself and checking someones social profile is one of the first things we do these days.

[LSA Recruitment]

Everybody must be vigilant enough on choosing agencies, because there are a lot of illegal agencies now a days.