But it doesn’t end there. My mom has a Facebook, my shrink has a Facebook , my boss has a Facebook, and my boss’s boss has a Facebook. At any given moment, any of these people can log in and see what I’m thinking, what I did over the weekend, or who I’m dating. And therein lies the dilemma in relation to one’s career. What you post on these sites can and will produce a negative effect on your professional profile.

According to a recent careerbuilder.com survey, 45% of employers are now using social networking sites to screen potential employees In an economy where millions of people have lost their jobs, those who are looking should keep this is mind when they decide to post about how it’s 4pm and they’re just rolling out of bed with a massive hangover on a Tuesday. And those who survived the chopping block at work should also heed the same warning. You may not be linked to your boss directly on a site like Facebook, but chances are you are linked to one of your co-workers, and that can be just as dangerous. Keep in mind that it’s not just your buddies who will see your status wishing that your boss gets hit by the green line.

And maybe I’m noticing it more because I’m stuck inside at my desk in the middle of a beautiful summer’s day, but the last thing I want to see from people I know who don’t have jobs is how they’re enjoying a beautiful day lounging at the beach. I have many friends and colleagues whose professional performances did not warrant their layoffs, but unfortunately lost their jobs anyway. I’m not advocating that you sit locked up in your house all day in your pajamas with your laptop sending resume after resume without rest, but keep in mind that letting the rest of the world know that you’re not out there pounding the proverbial pavement tirelessly doesn’t make you look any more desirable to an employer or to someone in your professional network. Being laid off is awful, especially for those who have families to support. It’s also tough for those who are left at their jobs having to do triple the amount of work for less money. So let’s not shout to the world wide web how much you’re enjoying your ‘vacation’ from the work force (and yes, I saw someone who was laid off refer to their unemployment as a vacation) while the rest of us are struggling to either hold on to our jobs, or replace the ones we’ve lost.

If you’re looking for a job, or have a job you’d like to keep- check out the statistics below courtesy of Yahoo finance on why candidates did not get hired at prospective jobs. And remember, if you need to blow off a little steam about your job, it’s better to whip out the old diary then to let the world know how you’re feeling.

• Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information – 53 percent
• Candidate bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients – 35 percent
• Candidate showed poor communication skills – 29 percent
• Candidate made discriminatory comments – 26 percent
• Candidate lied about qualifications – 24 percent
• Candidate shared confidential information from previous employer – 20 percent

- S. Grace

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