Looking For a Job? Clean Up Your Facebook, MySpace and Twitter Accounts

Did you know that Nearly half of hiring managers out there use social networking sites to screen job candidates? That means that you are at times making a first impression based on what is visible in your online profiles. Even if you have security setup on your accounts, there is always something people can see. Here is some things to check before you send out your resume:

Change your photo – Put the nicest, most professional photo of yourself as your main photo in all your profiles. I used one of me from a wedding where I was in a suit and tie. I’m also 10 years younger .

Set privacy on your account – It is likely that there are things in your profiles that you won’t want potential employers to see. Lock everything down so that only friends can view them.

Tweak some of your likes/dislikes on Facebook – Regardless of security settings, anybody can see what you are a fan of on Facebook. They can instantly learn your taste in music, products, celebrities and web sites. Sorry, but an employer may just decide not to hire you if you like death metal or your favorite web site is TMZ.

Clean up Twitter – If your Twitter account is open, you may want to post a few positive things that show the kind-hearted person you are. Motivational sayings are a good idea as well.

Google yourself and clean up the web – There are many other sites that scrape information off social networking sites and make it their own. Many allow you to modify the information. You may find other items you wrote on a message board long ago. Login to any account where you find questionable content and modify the information. If that option is not available, email the webmaster and ask them to clean it up for you.