Wednesday, June 10, 2009
About an hour or two each day, Rachel Kormanik, Overland Park senior, is on Facebook — checking friends’ statuses, writing on their walls, making and looking at photo albums. But staying in touch with friends isn’t the site’s only use.
What some Facebook users may not realize is that employers use the site when considering applicants, for better or worse. Journalism professor David Perlmutter, author of “Blog Wars,” said it was becoming increasingly well-known that employers looked at job applicants’ Facebook profiles. He said employers might look at an applicant’s Facebook to see if there were any issues with integrity or radical feelings or opinions, as well as any evidence of drug abuse. Employers may also look for opinions or interests that conflict with the interests of the hiring company. Perlmutter said Facebook photos could be an important factor in an employer’s decision.
“Toasting with a beer, they might not care about, but if police would take an interest, then it’s an issue,” Perlmutter said.
According to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com, 22 percent of employers said they were already checking social networks such as Facebook to screen candidates, while an additional 9 percent said they were planning to do so. The survey showed that the main concerns for employers included information about alcohol or drug use, inappropriate photos or information posted on a candidate’s page, poor communication skills, notes showing links to criminal behavior and confidential information about past employers.
Kormanik’s favorite feature is Facebook photos; she said she had made 52 albums on her profile. She said she did not care whether friends tagged her in pictures on Facebook, as long as the pictures were really of her. She said she never did anything she was worried about others seeing.
“You can tell a lot about a person by looking at what kinds of pictures they post on Facebook,” Kormanik said.
She said she had heard of younger kids being grounded and others losing jobs they were interviewing for because of pictures they posted on Facebook.
Michael Williams, associate professor of journalism, said he had known students who were dismayed to learn that employers looked for anything about them online. Perlmutter said students could change their privacy settings on Facebook or create a separate identity with a false name for friends only. Otherwise, students concerned about their profiles would have to censor themselves or get off Facebook entirely, Perlmutter said.
Although many students have caught on to the fact that they need to censor what the general public can see on their Facebook profiles to protect themselves, the latest way some students have been able to utilize Facebook is by creating a professional looking profile that lets employers see more about them.
“Facebook is being used by a lot of users to build contact networks, but it is being used increasingly by students to let employers know more about them,” Williams said.
Williams said employers could be impressed by an applicant’s circle of contacts and networks.
“Having a lot of contacts says something about you,” Williams said. “It has some positive possibilities.”
Privacy matters
How your Facebook profile could hurt your job prospects.
Facebook, ABC collaborate to provide political outlet
Facebook and ABC are working together to allow users of the Web ...
Users abuse Facebook
Students suspect facebook.com monitored by schools, police
Free program helps students clean up Facebook ...
Students make their Facebook pages presentable for the real world with a ...
Matney: You vs. Facebook you
Don't judge a book by its cover... or a person by his ...
Facebook: Friend or foe?
Students cite maintaining their privacy and avoiding wasting time as main reasons ...
Sororities warn members of online impersonators
Male impersonators targeting sorority Facebook groups act as actual members.
Facebook + family = DISASTER?
What to do when you get a friend request from your mom.
Buser: Facebook and GPA staying connected
Whether Facebook helps or dooms your grades is largely up to you.
Students follow national voting trend
Candidates uses social networks to reach out to the youth vote
RoomBug offers new way to find roommates
Students can use Facebook application to match lifestyle preferences of potential roomies.
New classes talk politics
A variety of departments on campus have launched some courses that focus ...
New Web site tries to attract college ...
College.com, a Web site that started earlier this month, is trying to ...
Facebook drama
Why we act and interact online.
Tomorrow's news: Candid Photography Services
Tech Review: Facebook's makeover
Don't take Steve Jobs' word for it.
Spencer showcase examines photography in the digital ...
Interactive exhibition allows visitors to be a photo editor for the day.
Anti-Obama Facebook status messages abound
Former University of Texas backup lineman Buck Burnette was among those who ...
Facebook accounts pose dangers
Incriminating information online can both endanger student security and harm future career ...
Job help is just around the corner
The University Career Center offers advice on resume, interviews and networking.
[thedatebook?]
Facebook offers comfort after loss
Facebook has become one way people grieve after the loss of a ...
University launches Wiki site
Site to be used to educate
How fair and balanced is the news?
The presidents of KU College Republicans and KU College Democrats will reach ...
Think before you tweet
Social networking sites can provide too much personal information for others.
Following has never been so easy
A picture really is worth 1,000 words.
In 140 characters or less
The simplistically designed social medium Twitter answers more questions than, ‘What are ...
Students finding fewer positions in fall and ...
Although it is more competitive, the job market remains a place where ...
Status update
Facebook changes the relationship dynamic.
Katz: Self-imposed target
Willingness to dish out personal information helps advertisers zone in on customers.
Welcome to the World of 'You'
Move over Facebook, step aside MySpace: a new online community called YouTube ...
Educating you, by the (face)book
Your brain on the Book
The psychological appeal and effect of Facebook
Students find employment at The Oread
Some restaurants have as many as 50 students working on a given ...
Opportunity calls
How to get the most out of your internship.
Navigating a competitive job market
University works to improve students’ employment prospects during tough economic times.
University Career Fair comes to campus next ...
Potential employers and seeking students will be hunting for career matches in ...
Facebook changes come in waves
Rumors claim the site is adding a webmail service.
Saha: Facebook distorts ideal image of self
As Facebook evolves, so do the attitudes surrounding it.
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID