Do I Have To Be A Part of Social Networking To Be Hired?

[Soliloquy]

Social networking is a major part of our world at this point. Everyone that I know is a member of facebook, twitter, linkedin, Google+, and/or tumblr. I'm not. I'm not a member of any social networking site with the exception of this one.

I've heard some people say that if you want to get hired, you need to be a part of a social networking site like linkedin. My desire to be a part of these sites is close to 0. I've worked too hard to get off of these social networking to get back on at this point.

But is it true? Is it necessary that in order to get a job that it's essential to be a part of social networking?

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

They will. The vast majority of potential employers Google their applications as well as search for them on social networking sites. Your lack of presence there is not going to hurt you... for many people, quite the opposite is true... what they post on facebook prevents them from being hired.

I imagine it's hard to keep your facebook and social networking sites rated G and uplifting. Anyone with a camera can snap you and put a pic up and tag you in it...

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

However, social networking isn't the worst idea, either. You can learn about new job opportunities, job fairs, and even engage others in conversations that could lead to jobs. Look at us here, for example. There are several people I've contacted with questions that have either helped me, or I've passed the advice to someone looking for a job in a particular specialty. It goes both ways :)

That is true. I enjoy interacting with people on this forum because they have good, practical information that could benefit my offline life.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I imagine it's hard to keep your facebook and social networking sites rated G and uplifting. Anyone with a camera can snap you and put a pic up and tag you in it...

Not if you set your security settings to require you to approve any picture that you are tagged in before the tag is visible. There's a wide range of security and privacy tools available in social networking sites...the problem is that few people know about or are willing to use them.

[Soliloquy, MSN, APRN, NP]

Not if you set your security settings to require you to approve any picture that you are tagged in before the tag is visible. There's a wide range of security and privacy tools available in social networking sites...the problem is that few people know about or are willing to use them.

That's very true. That last time I was on facebook (a year or two ago?) I remember seeing that option. I guess there were some who were like me and didn't want to have to censor their page if they didn't have to. I know a lot of people in my generation want to broadcast themselves and so to censor is like the antithesis of that broadcasting.

[BluegrassRN]

I google people all the time, particularly potential hires. I am in the process of applying for a new position, and i disabled my Facebook account for this reason.

[tnmarie]

I've heard that some employers get suspicious if you don't have an online presence but I think that is more of the exception than the rule. I think they are just Googling to make sure you don't have drunken pics with your head in the toilet or pics of your KKK rally etc.

I don't do any online social networking either. I prefer to see my friends in person!

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

I'm on Facebook. Nothing goes on my page that I wouldn't want my kids to see. I'm careful about adding friends.I am on Linked-In which I used to really enjoy for the discussions, but lately it seems it's all job postings.Since my friends live all over, I'm happy to have a place to see pictures of them.

[LaRoseRN]

I found my job off Facebook -- there was a group page that had started for new grad RNs looking for jobs in my state. Everyone would post updates about new grad positions they had found, or when a particular residency program application was going to open. They'd also post useful interview and resume tips.

I never would've found the application for my residency program on my own & it was only open for three days! But I saw a post on FB and that's how I knew they were hiring new grads. That FB page was truly useful. It was also really great to hear updates from a community of people all in the same place as me -- newly graduated and struggling to even get a call back for an interview.

So, while you might not need it, there are some useful elements to social networks.

I've never used FB for networking purposes outright -- I make a point of not having a lot of coworkers and bosses as "friends," nor do I ever contact people I haven't met in person first.

[Inori, BSN, RN]

I'd say keep your FB social media on highest privacy settings, if you must have it and if you dont use it mind as well not bother. I don't add coworkers, tell em its for family if pressed. Otherwise what does go on there is select pieces of life that is interesting but non incriminating. You hear stories about it all the time person gets fired over FB posts, twitter rants, sued etc. These days just have to be careful what you say, post. I hear some employers will even ask for your social media password the answer is no thats invasion of privacy, and violation of terms of service to share passwords :)