Be very careful....

So I just browsed through Vanessa's blog regarding how employers gather information about you from surfing the 'Net; I have to say, it's spot on. How your employers view you before you even get to the interviewing process is extremely important: it can mean the difference between not even getting the first interview and getting called back for a second interview. Let's face it, most employers want candidates who can be relied on to be professional and discreet--which you cannot be when you post silly or, at worst, risque blurbs in your online blogs (thank goodness for the guidelines provided by Berkeley; it helps me to be discreet in other areas).

So having said that, I am certainly glad that I have not posted any information that future prospective employers can use against me. Berkeley College has prepared me in this area, particularly with the Business 220 (Placement Seminar) course. You don't want to give your prospective employer a chance to reject you before you even open your mouth. So along with dress, grooming, and being well spoken, it's important to be well thought of. If your employer thinks highly of you during the interviewing process, he or she is more likely to hold you in high regard should you be selected as the best candidate for the job. The opposite holds true, as well, unfortunately; if you make a poor impression on the interviewer (if he or she conjures up a mental image that is less than desirable based on things you've posted on the Internet), there's a good chance that you won't get the job you wanted; or if you do, your employer may wonder how much company time will be spent doing work vs. networking sites, such as Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter. Enjoy them, but keep them to a minimum. And by all means, keep your personal exploits your personal business. You'll be grateful for it.