Job Search Tips: How to Avoid Letting Your Online Activities Hurt Your Job Search

In the past, not many people (aside from friendsdrinking underage.  If you are an adult, this might
and family) really paid any attention to the factinvolve stealing or smoking pot.  Even if you do
that you have a personal blog, a Facebook page,enjoy these activities and despite the fact that
or a MySpace account.  However, things aren'twill likely be done on your "off time," it is waters
the same as they were in the past.  If you areyou don't want to tread into.
in the mist of a job search, what will your onlineDO know that jokes you find funny might be
activities say about you?  Hopefully, nothing bad.offensive to someone else.  Racial discrimination,
To prevent all your hard job search work fromeven if you come about it unintentionally, isn't
going up in smoke, keep these important points insomething you want to be involved in while in the
mind.mist of a job search.  Today, companies pride
DON'T go overboard with the profanity.  Yes,themselves in having a diverse workplace. 
many of us do swear from time to time. Anything that even gives the remote impression
However, the excessive use of profanity can hurtthat you won't fit into that environment can hurt
your overall character rating.  In a time whereyour job search.
companies need strong, positive, and professionalDON'T vent about your job online.  Yes, we all
employees, it can hurt your job search.  Removelike to complain or vent about work.  Lets say
all or most of the profanity from your socialyou are on a 100% anonymous forum where you
networking profiles today.are using a different screen name and your real
DO set your social networking profiles to privatename is nowhere to be found…this maybe is
while in the mist of a job search.  While this doesokay.  However, never vent about your job or
not 100% keep unwanted people out, it does helpshare private company information in a public
to keep your information private.  During thisforum online.  A hiring company wants good
time, do not accept any friend invites fromemployees not those who might be deemed a
anyone you don't know; it might be a hiringrisky problem child.
manager looking to score a view at your profile. Now that you have a good idea of what you
Of course, if you have nothing to hide…should or shouldn't be doing in terms of your
DON'T post any pictures or content that showsonline activities, start your job search today. 
or describes you participating in illegal activities.  IfThe quicker you get started, the faster you
you are fresh out of high school, this might meanshould have a job.