The Pitfalls of Social Networking

It’s hard to avoid the constant buzz surrounding social networking sites, such as MySpace and Facebook – some good and some very, very bad. Social networking can help you plan an event with your friends, get in contact with a long lost acquaintance, share pictures, videos, and more, but there is one crucial thing, according to Peter D. Weddle, that social networking can’t get you – a job.

It’s the word “networking” that makes this fact a little confusing. When we think of networking, it’s difficult not to conjure up images of sharply-dressed people hobnobbing over cocktails and slipping business cards into a new acquaintance’s blazer pocket. However, the danger lies in the word “social.” Prospective employers are not interested in what your sign is, which Friends character your personality most reflects, or want to see pictures of how much you drank at your college roommate’s bachelor party – no matter how prodigious said amount was.

In his article, Weddle does a good job scaring off people from using social networking sites to try to woo prospective employers and offering a nice selection of web-based “business” networking sites – but I believe that there are a few exceptions that you can consider to make your social networking page a little more employer friendly.

1. If you plan to use your social networking site as an online business card, for the love of Pete, take down any incriminating photos, videos, and or text. Imagine that your dear old grandmother is going to be looking over your page. How would you feel if she got an eyeful of your Spring Break in Puerta Vallarta last year? This also applies to your comments section. You have to be very vigilant about monitoring what your so-called friends write.
2. If you are interested in a career that requires a portfolio, use your page to show your abilities. Want to design video games? Showcase some of your artwork. Are you looking for a more technical-based career? How about creating a widget for your page that no one has ever seen?
3. Keep the layout modest. We’ve all seen the stereotypical MySpace page that looks as colorful and fragmented as the bedroom walls of a teenage girl. It doesn’t matter how much you love Miley Cyrus, if you plan to use your page to get a job, you don’t need a Hannah Montana icon shimmering in the center.

I’m curious… does anyone have any good/bad stories about using social networking to find a job? Any suggestions or tips?