“Job applicants advised to ‘clean up digital dirt’” |
| Job applicants advised to ‘clean up digital dirt’ Posted: 28 Dec 2010 07:24 PM PST Earlier this month, 900 graduates of Missouri Southern State University and Pittsburg (Kan.) State University began the search for a job. Along with sending out resumes and buying suits for interviews, the graduates were given an additional charge: "Clean up their digital dirt." That was the advice of David Hogard, assistant director of career services at PSU. People tend to judge a book by its cover, and for a job seeker, that book might just be Facebook, or some other online site where people have bared their soul — and perhaps more. "Ask yourself: Would I share what I'm doing online in a resumé or an interview?" said Hogard. Stories abound in the news and online about Facebook and YouTube posts that ended up costing someone their shot at the brass ring. A recent Microsoft survey concluded that nearly three-quarters of employers and job recruiters have not only checked online sources, but have rejected people because of what the applicant posted online. The problem has gotten so bad that some graduates, worried about their Internet past, are having to change their names when they look for work. But it's not just inappropriate photos and videos. Employers frown on criticisms of previous employers, co-workers and customers, notes the Microsoft survey, titled "Online Reputation in a Connected World.'' Kelsey Knewtson, of Joplin, a junior at the University of Arkansas, said she's careful about what she posts. "Since the point of Facebook is that basically everyone can keep up with what you're doing, I make sure that I only post things I want the entire world to know. I only put up pictures that I wouldn't mind a complete stranger, or even my grandma, seeing. If someone puts up a picture of me that I don't like, I either ask them to get rid of it or just untag it." Michael Woodruff, of Joplin, responding to a Globe query on Facebook, said that as a rule, he doesn't "friend" people with whom he works. "I try to be responsible with my comments," he said. At one workshop Hogard conducted for PSU students just before graduation, he Googled a few of their names. He found a video of one of them cage fighting on YouTube — a video that the young man didn't know was posted. "Not the best thing to have out there for the world to see if you're job searching," said Hogard. "I tell students all the time, 'Google yourself!'" Employees It's not just college graduates who need to be careful; people who already have jobs could lose them if they get careless online. A Connecticut school superintendent lost a $150,000-a-year job because of comments he posted on Facebook about some of his staff and his own work habits. A former waitress at a pizza restaurant claimed she was fired from her job for negative posts about customers, while a man who posted critical comments about the Philadelphia Eagles lost his job at Eagles Stadium. Hogard uses such examples as cautionary tales in frequent online image management workshops he holds. No matter a person's age or current employment, he tells them: "You're always sort of job searching, in a way." Hogard's advice to everyone: "Watch for tagged photos on another person's site, don't blindly accept requests for friends, and don't badmouth your current or previous employer." Teachers Teachers are among those who must be careful. A Georgia high school teacher claimed she was forced to resign after posting an expletive, and photos of her holding wine and beer. The National Education Association has reported cases of several young teachers and school staffers who were fired or reprimanded after inappropriate personal information or photos were found by parents and supervisors. Said Hogard: "If you are a great teacher in the classroom, then you have a drink at a local bar, yes, that's your own time and it's your private life. But if someone sees pictures of it or reads about it online, that can influence them a bit as to how they perceive you." C.J. Huff, superintendent of Joplin's schools, said he brings up the topic with staff at the beginning of the school year. "We have a conversation about what's appropriate and what's not appropriate. If there are things on your personal blog or Facebook page that may be offensive or embarrassing for your parents or children or others to see, then you should consider taking them off," Huff said. Although the Joplin district's human resources department does not make Googling potential applicants a common practice, Huff said when the district has had concerns, or has suspected or become aware of potential problems, it has done so. Dale Slagle, superintendent of schools at Frontenac, Kan., said that he's not yet checked Facebook, Twitter or YouTube for tags of any prospective employees, but is considering doing so in the future. "Teachers are role models that shape the character of our students. One of our evaluation standards requires teachers to 'display a positive attitude and promote a positive image of the school and community.' Public image is important," he said.
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