Chandler Hill Partners Blog - Uncouth Facebook postings closing doors for job candidates

Chandler Hill Partners Blog - -

More employers than ever are researching job candidates on sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter in order to find out more about their activities and character. And, it turns out, many candidates are doing a great job of showing their potential bosses poor communication skills, inappropriate pictures, and even how many workplace secrets they can leak.

Some of us had the luck of doing stupid things online before most employers knew what social networking was. (I'll admit it: in my early working days, I said some not-nice things online about some of the people I worked with.) These days, however, those looking for jobs have had many years to build up an unsavory history across the Internet, and employers now know how to do their homework. In fact, nearly half of the employers in the US now search for job candidates on social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, according to survey results from CareerBuilder. The job-finding firm said that the numbers reflect a twofold increase over those who reported doing so in last year—45 percent in 2009 versus 22 percent in 2008—and cautioned that many employers choose not to hire based on information they find online.

Facebook was the most popular site for researching job candidates this year—no surprise there, since Facebook has exploded in popularity as of late. "Professional" networking site LinkedIn came in second at 26 percent, MySpace came in third at 21 percent, 11 percent read blogs, and seven percent followed candidates' updates on Twitter. Paranoid yet about any of your recent tweets?

If you're looking for a job, you probably should be. More than a third of survey respondents said that they found info that caused them not to hire the person applying for the job, including "provocative or inappropriate photographs," content related to drinking or using drugs, and finding postings that badmouthed previous employers, coworkers, or clients. Other candidates showed poor communication skills on their social networking profiles, made discriminatory comments, lied about their qualifications, or shared confidential information from a previous employer. The one that made us cringe? "16 percent dismissed a candidate for using text language such as GR8 (great) in an e-mail or job application."

On the other hand, some candidates are doing a good job of presenting their professional side when posting online. Half of those who screened candidates via their social networking profiles said that they got a good feel for the person's personality and fit within the organization. Other employers said that they found the profiles supported the candidates' professional qualifications or that they discovered how creative the candidate was. Solid communication skills, evidence of well-roundedness, and other people's good references (we assume this one came from LinkedIn) helped boost people's credentials, too.

For most of us, it seems like common sense not to talk trash on your Facebook wall or post drunk pictures where potential employers can see them, but people are still catching up to the idea that their future bosses are on the same sites as they are. Anecdotally, I have worked at many an office that has casually looked up interns and new employees online, only to find sides of them that were less than flattering (one intern publicly declared that our company's parent company could "f-ing suck it!" immediately after we offered her the job).

Some may argue that employers shouldn't use information they found through a little bit of online stalking (something we've heard in our forums)—after all, what someone does after hours is his or her own business. At the same time, it's hard to deny that discovering truly alarming information—such as leaked workplace secrets—would be good cause for choosing another candidate. These days, everyone hunting for a job needs to exercise some judgment on what to post online and who they let access it if they want to stay in future employers' good graces.

Chandler Hill Partners Blog - Great careers you can do from-home...

Chandler Hill Partners Blog - -

With 70% of adults using the Internet, working-from-home can be a viable option. Here are 5 job ideas for which a work-at-home career would work:

1. Web Design: Every company or group has a website, putting web designers in high demand. A freelance graphic artist or web designer can make upwards of $60,000/year in their career with a degree and experience.

2. E-Commerce: There are many ways to get involved in e-commerce from selling things on eBay to setting up a website to offer your services or expertise.

3. Photography: After getting your education in photography, you may not be able to work as an independent photographer right away, but over time, you can build a consistent client base as well as doing weddings, special events, and working on your own creative projects.

4. Bookkeeping: Your best bet is an accounting degree and some training on bookkeeping software. Many part-time jobs in bookkeeping can be found allowing you to work-from-home, giving you even more flexibility with your schedule.

5. Interior Design: Many states now certify interior design as a profession. With a certificate in interior design and some good self-marketing, you can create your own business and work the hours you please.

Abridged: LearningandLife.com

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About Chandler Hill Partners

For more than 30 years, the leaders of Chandler Hill Partners have earned a reputation for integrity, innovation, dedication to quality, and commitment to results.

Today, the success of Chandler Hill Partners comes from the experience, people, technology, and consistent methodologies available to the organizations and the individuals who trust us with their employment needs.

Our sole determination is helping individuals and organizations achieve their employment goals.

With many locations nationwide, Chandler Hill Partners is the nation's leader in career advancement and job search, providing a wide range of services for job seekers and employers.

Chandler Hill Partners Blog - Don't fall into a job search rut

Chandler Hill Blog - -

How you approach unemployment can really make or break you. When you're not working a nine-to-five, your job is to find a job. However, job searching eight hours a day may leave you somewhat brain dead. So, a schedule is in order. You have to figure out what you realistically can accomplish. Set some job search goals for yourself so you don't fall into a pit of jobless despair.

Dedicate a certain amount of time each day to your job search. Do this in the morning or early afternoon. And yes, the responses you receive may be less than pleasing: "We have already filled the position," "Your qualifications don't meet our needs," yadda, yadda, yadda. However, don't take these rejections personally. It just may mean that your qualifications don't meet the job criteria or the person hiring didn't see a good fit.

Job searching is, unfortunately, a little like dating - it will either click or it won't. There isn't always going to be a clear cut reason why. Also, it's important that you go out and do something. Anything. Don't let your brain rot while searching. It can be something as simple as taking a walk. It's better than doing nothing, because job searching can inevitably get you down. You have to work hard to do at least one thing a day that will make you happy.

Abridged: Denver Unemployment Examiner