Twitter

[SaraMJones]

I noticed on your blog that you have a link to your twitter page.  I have been afraid to sign up for almost anything on the computer (facebook, myspace, twitter) because i have heard that employers will look at your pages and that it could hurt you when looking for a job.  How can i keep this from hurting me?

[msm]

Sarah,

A good question and an important one.  Twitter, Myspace, Facebook, Linkedin, etc. are all great networking tools and social tools.  Great ways to keep in touch with friends, make contacts and of course network.  I have a Twitter, a Linked in and a Facebook.  Many companies have made looking at them a part of their reference check regimen.

Here is my advice.  Always remember that ANYTHING you post, whether it be profiles, comments, pictures, articles, links...are all available on the Web and very often searchable by key words, your name and a myriad of tags the search engine spiders search for.

A good principle to use when posting may be this:  Would I mind if my Mother saw this pic?  Or post?  Or Link?  If you can say "no problem" then what you add to one of the social sites should never disturb a future employer.  If in doubt, send it privately.  Better to be safe than sorry.

msm

[SaraMJones]

Thanks for the quick and helpful advice!