Still think we are overstating the need to have your Facebook profile of embarrassing items?

According to a recent survey by CareerBuilder, forty-five percent of employers are checking sites like Facebook to see the profiles of potential hires before making them an offer.  We have been trying to warn you that employers are checking out your profiles before they hire you to see what type of person you are.

Since the survey last year, the number of employers using social media profiles rose from twenty-two percent to the reported forty-five percent.  Even more frightening is that another eleven percent plan to take up the practice in the next year.

So what caused potential employees to be rules out after their profiles were looked at?  Well, it isn’t pretty:

– Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information - 53 percent
– Candidate posted content about them drinking or using drugs – 44 percent
– Candidate bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients - 35 percent
– Candidate showed poor communication skills – 29 percent
– Candidate made discriminatory comments – 26 percent
– Candidate lied about qualifications – 24 percent– Candidate shared confidential information from previous employer – 20 percent

Social media can be all fun and games, but unfortunately you’re going to have to start having a little less fun online if you want to look for a new job.  There are worst situations of social networking profile pictures actually sending you to jail, but not getting the job you want can be pretty bad in and of itself.