Social Media and Future Employers

We've all heard about prospective employers looking into applicants' social media sites as a determining factor. Many see this as an invasion of privacy, but I do see it as an asset for those hiring to get an idea of who a person is in a casual setting. Would they be a good match in a team setting? Could there be a security risk? etc.

I would be lying if I said I didn't use social media as a way to vet who is in my children's lives. Some may say this is creepy, but with all of the horrible things you hear on the news, it's better to be safe and slightly creepy than sorry. Every year I search Facebook for each of my boys' teachers and other people they encounter at school. Prior to sleep-overs and play-dates I'll look up their friends' parents. I've never found anything, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

I mainly use social media to keep up with family, friends, and former classmates from high school. I've never been the "party girl" so I've never really had to worry about photos of me being inappropriate showing up. Still, I thought I'd take a look and see just what would be seen on mine, does anything be improved and if any of it would throw up a red flag during a job search.

Since I do share a lot of photos and stories about my children, most of my Facebook profile is private, but even if it weren't, I seem rather boring. If you looked at it right now, you would see that my youngest's friends came over and played Friday night, or that we celebrated my Husband's Grandmother's 99th birthday last weekend.

As far as anything embarrassing, my friend posted a photo of us from the state fair that is over 10 years old.

Not exactly scandalous.

I really don't see anything that is cause for major changes or red flags on my personal Facebook page. However, after looking at all aspects, I will probably go through and lose a few people off of my friends list. At roughly 300 friends, it's obvious I can't be close with all of them, and many who I only know from high school can probably go.

I haven't spoken to several of these "friends" in at least 6 years and I really have no need to have their profile pictures of boozing and drug usage popping up on my page as a friend which a possible employer could easily see and possibly judge me unfavorably.