Facebook Inc (FB): Want a Job? Don’t Post These Things On Your Wall…

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) is a place that is used for much sharing. Perhaps oversharing. And it could be used as a truth serum, where those who want to spill the latest happenings in their lives or send the latest pictures from their last trip to the grocery store. With as many as 1 billion people potentially seeing what you post, it can be an opportunity for people to really be honest about themselves, or paint a picture of how impressive they think they want to be to their friends and those they don’t know.

But if you are regular poster and commenter on Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) and you are looking for a job, you might want to watch how truthful you are, or how much of a storyteller you are, because either way could get you in hot water and keep you from landing that job. This is according to a Harris Interactive online survey of more than 2,000 human-resources and hiring managers on behalf of CareerBuilder.com who were asked some questions about social media and especially Facebook. The survey not only confirmed what many of us already knew – that many of these hiring decision-makers do in face check social media to gain background on candidates – but it also revealed that there are certain types of content on social media that potential employers will look for that will keep them from hiring someone for a job.

So whether you are truthful about what happened at that party Friday night, or whether you are just telling a fish story, be “warned” that might be one of those stories that is best left off Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB). In the survey, a full 50 percent of those surveyed said they had found a job applicant has posted “provocative” or “inappropriate” photos or information. Almost that many said they spotted posts or comments about alcohol or drug use, and a third of them said they had rejected a candidate because they found that the candidate had posted negative comments about a previous employer.

Nearly three in 10 said they found negative comments about gender, race or religion, and almost a quarter noted they found candidates had lied about their experience.

Those of you currently unemployed – are you taking notes? There is more – but this is the positive side to social media for hiring managers.

In the same survey, a full half of those hiring managers said that they were more likely to pick a candidate whose Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) profile showed many interests and a well-rounded body of education, skills and life experiences. And almost half said they liked seeing a creative side to candidates from their posts or photos. And it takes creativity for investors like fund manager Leon Cooperman (see his portfolio) to make his money partly on the back of Facebook stock. What do you think? Does any of this surprise you? Do you think hiring managers should at least partially judge a candidate by their posts and photos on social networks? Give us your take in the comments section below.

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