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Contributed by: Jocelyn Hall

In our technological age, we rely heavily on social networking to help us solve even the most trivial problems. In the workplace long ago, employers based candidates on their interviewing skills and their resume. Now, an employer may also look online to better understand a possible future employee. Between Facebook, Twitter, Blogspot, Tumblr, Flickr, etc and dating websites, a company can just “Google” a person’s name and see what pops up about them. Now all those late night partying photos are in the hands of a potential boss.

And what if you, as the boss, are looking at these photos and trying to make an assessment about that individual. What do you think? They showed up on time, even early, to their interview. They delivered a perfect elevator pitch about why they would be valuable to your company. And they even followed up within 24 hours with a thank you letter. But when you searched them on Facebook, you found photo after photo of them at bars and parties (after all, they are in their early 20s), pictures of them schmoozing it up with a different girl in every picture and lastly, very poor grammar in conversations with their friends. The two people (the one who interviewed with you and the one online) are seemingly two completely different people. So what do you do?

Well, nowadays it is common for people just entering into the workforce to be instructed about cleaning up (or hiding) what is available for the public eye on these Internet sites. So we can first off say that it is up to them to make sure that you can’t find all of those photos and such forth. But at the same time, those photos now make you question whether they are a good candidate or if they can just interview well.

A good question to ask yourself is whether or not you believed the person sitting in front of you? It may be that this person is a good worker but also has a fun-loving side (not everyone can be work, work, work all the time, right?) You may also want to re-asses what you found online and decide if those photos actually hold relevance. How many partying photos are there compared to fun, family photos? How long ago were these pictures taken? Have they spoken badly about any of their past employers? These questions won’t completely suffice whether or not they are a good candidate for employment but they will help you determine whether or not you need to focus so hard on it all. Also look and see: Do they also have a LinkedIn website or connections to other business related groups? Before attempting to determine everything about this person via Internet, think about interviewing them again. Bring up the information you found about them on the Internet and voice the fact that the information would reflect badly on the company if clients or others saw it. If all else, think about hiring them on a trial run.

The good part about the Internet is that we now have access to more information about people. Way back when (i.e. earlier 2000s) employers still had to base a candidate off of whom they spoke with. A candidates other life was completely unknown to them, so technically, when hiring it’s always a gamble to pick the right people. The Internet gives us more information, but it also poses more questions. With a simple click on the “Privacy” screen they may be able to hide all the unsightly information. So if you feel that the person face to face with you deserves a shot, maybe think about taking that gamble. However, that’s not to say that information found via the Internet should never be used against a candidate. I guess at the end of it all, it’s about using your best judgment. Just remember, don’t trust everything you see on the Internet.

Contributed by: Jocelyn Hall

As a social media intern, I am constantly going through business’ Facebook pages to see what information is available. When we find companies that have not utilized their page to the fullest, we offer our assistance. It’s not enough to tell your clients/customers “yes, I’m on Facebook” if you don’t actually use your page.

I know, when you set up your FB (abbreviation for Facebook) it took a while to get all the information. And maybe you wrote a blog as well and that also took some time to get a format you liked. And, gosh, don’t even get me started on how long it took to create a usable website. Each of these sites, as well as all social media sites, take time to set up but once you get it done and understand the basics, it doesn’t take much to keep it updated.

So why is it important to keep your pages updated?

Well, if I am a visitor to any of your sites, I want to see the LATEST news about your company. I want to know about the LATEST deals you have going on. I want to know about the NEWEST products you are offering. See a trend? If the latest post is dated March 2010 then that tells me that you don’t keep up on this aspect of promoting your company (and this may be especially vital to people running a national/online business) and I lose interest. Or it may also tell me that you went out of business and you just haven’t gotten around to deleting this page/website. Keeping a page updated shows activism on your part to bring people in.

How often should you update?

While some businesses could make use of updating their page several times a day, you may only need to do so once a week. Adding photos and commentary about recent events show that your business is alive. Offering information about new promotions or in-store expansions allow viewers to connect with your business. And remember to answer back comments! People want to know that when they make a comment about a company, their voice is being heard.

Now on a website, it’s easier to not have to check as often, but make sure it stays relevant. If you just started a blog, add a link on the site. If you shot a commercial, have it play when people first visit your site. If you stopped selling a product, remove it from your website! Just as you take care to make sure your office/store stays neat and orderly; take care to your social sites. Between the store, the blog, the FB page, etc these work together to welcome guests into your business. Make sure all aspects of it are a true representation of you.

Contributed by: Jocelyn Hall

Do you ever look at the clock, realize it’s already late in the afternoon and wonder where your day went? In your mind, you have a list of things that needed to be done today and now you either don’t have the mental ability to work on those tasks or you’re now too busy scrambling to something else. How do we fix that? Read the rest of this entry »

Contributed by: Jocelyn Hall

Contributed by: Jocelyn Hall