Who's Checking Your Internet Profile?

Recently I read an article that said recruiters and employers are looking online to get information about prospective employees. What this means is that your online profiles can be used to determine if you should be hired for a job.

The article went on to say that in some cases recruiters got in touch with online contacts to find out information about the candidate. I don’t know about you, but the idea of someone making a determination about me based on my profile – or talking to a “friend” who might only be someone I connected with online, but doesn’t really know me – is disconcerting.

It does reflect the world that we are now living in, though. What you have on your internet page can be held in your favor, or against you. We have to be mindful about what we post because more than likely it’ll be accessible long after we’ve forgotten about it.

I’ve also read about disgruntled writers who have badmouthed an editor after having a manuscript rejected. Their internet rants ended up being read by other editors. The result? Let’s just say those writers will probably have a hard time selling their work to any of those editors – or anyone else that the editors have contact with.

When you’re looking to change careers it’s terribly important to network outside of your current career. Joining social networking sites can be very helpful. I like the fact that the internet gives me the opportunity to interact with people who are all over the country and the world. However, I’m also discovering that it’s very important to keep track of what I put on the net. You never know who’s reading your profile.