Social-networking sites, such as Facebook and Myspace, have become a part of everyday life for teens and adults alike. A recent study warns to be mindful of what is posted on the public sites.

According to a study by Career builder, 45 percent of employers now use these sites as a way to research potential job candidates. This is up from the 22 percent in a similar study last year, who stated they used the sites.

The study states that 29 percent use Facebook to screen jobseekers, 26 percent look at LinkedIn and another 21 percent view potential job candidates on Myspace.

More than 2,600 hiring managers participated in the study. Fifty-three percent of potential job candidates were rejected because of unsavory photographs posted on personal sites. Another 44 percent were turned away due to comments posted about drug use or drinking. Another 35 percent cited putting down previous employers, co-workers or clients, and 20 percent turned applicants away for sharing confidential information from previous employers. On the other hand, the sites can provide helpful information in some situations.

According to the study, networking sites can be a good place to advertise one’s skills. Some employers stated that after reviewing the public networking sites they hired candidates because they showed creativity, good communication skills, and provided a good feel for the candidate’s personality…Read more