Employers look at Facebook and Google you, yadda yadda. It’s an old story. You know it, we do it, DP commenters want the paper to move on.
But if we all know this, why are Penn students so lazy about simple protective steps — and so slow to take advantage of us gullible bosses?
According to one estimate, more than 30,000 Penn students have their profiles open for any alum to browse around. Which we will. Because employers are immoral, awful people. (Unlike undergrads who Facebook freshmen rushing their fraternity, or look up their assigned roommates. But I digress.)
Of course, running scare stories — employers will use the Patriot Act to access Facebook! Your profile will be part of your job application! — is more fun for college newspapers than being frank: plenty of curious employers can’t get to your page unless they try really hard. Many Penn students won’t interview with alums who have Facebook, and a growing number of companies block social networking sites anyway.
But most importantly, there’s a big shift underway: as employees sign up for sites like Facebook and MySpace, embarassing personal details are increasingly accepted (and ignored) in the workplace. Not to mention that seeing revealing Halloween pictures of aging coworkers is a lot scarier than seeing college kids do college things.
Still, Career Services says restrict Facebook access to just your friends, or prune your page and tags to cut out embarrassing photos and comments. It’s good, safe advice.
But chances are, you didn’t make it to Penn by playing it safe.
So consider this: Be strategic and open your profile up, not just to Penn alums but to everybody. If employers are looking, give them a show — post that dorky picture with your local U.S. representative, or get friends to comment about that freshman year community service project. Write a note excerpting that essay that so thrilled your professor. And as long as they aren’t “Meet the Spartans” and “A Million Little Pieces,” share your favorite films, books and other passions, so you look like an actual human being and not the most boring job applicant ever.
I’m writing from experience. One Penn alum was about to interview with my team back in 2005; his resume was impressive, but no more outstanding than the other half-dozen candidates.
Then, we peaked at his profile. His page was witty, his friends’ comments were flattering, his personal interests were actually interesting. Needless to say, we were pre-conditioned to love him — and practically hired him on the spot.
Keep in mind, good employers aren’t maliciously scoping you out online, but just trying to be as informed as possible. And there’s a lot that doesn’t fit in a resume or get covered in a 45-minute interview.
Besides, if a potential boss learns through Facebook that you love donuts, the Simpsons, and Vampire Weekend — and still doesn’t hire you — well, that’s a place you didn’t want to be.
An RSS feed of The Spin is available