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Reasons LinkedIn Can Cause Problems at Work Posted: 22 Mar 2012 08:11 AM PDT Job hunting on while you're on company time, using company resources to help aid in a job search, or browsing any social media websites that contain job listings are three things that are generally ill-advised and best avoided. The only real exception to that might be if you've been served notice that your job is being right-sized or eliminated, but in any other scenario you're risking your current job if anyone notices that you're looking for a new one while on the clock. This includes navigating around websites like LinkedIn, which is known for its ability to connect professionals with each other. Here are ten reasons why LinkedIn can cause problems at work: If you are using your company email account for correspondence, or if it's obvious to potential employers that you are contacting them from your present job, you may be sending the message that you're willing to slack on your responsibilities at work, which is definitely the wrong message you want to send out. Prospective employers may take a dim view of your use of company time and resources for personal reasons. You never know who may be looking at your LinkedIn profile, and this includes your current boss. You run the risk of having your employer see your resume or profile on the website, which will likely send up an immediate red flag to them. There goes the stealth mode for your job search. It's wise to set your privacy preferences so that your personal info is not visible to employers. Anytime it becomes apparent that an employee is searching for new job opportunities, whether the boss finds out or co-workers become aware, that employee's future has been seriously compromised in his current role. Your current boss may make a preemptive move and dismiss you before you have the opportunity to find a new job and put in your two-week notice at your current one. On the flip side, LinkedIn can cause you problems at work by providing your boss with qualified candidates to replace you if and when they realize that you're on the hunt for a new job. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, as they say. Some companies monitor internet usage by employees, and can easily track website visits and record searches. Having your browsing history at their fingertips means that it wouldn't be difficult for your boss to discover that you're looking for a way out; and he may provide you with one… just one you hadn't planned on. The time you spend job hunting at work can lead to productivity issues. You want to leave your current position on your own terms, not because you were fired. It's best to leave on good terms with your current employer so as not to burn any bridges. After all, you never know when you may need to come back or utilize an old boss for a good reference. That leads to another matter of potential concern … If you have resorted to searching for new employment prior to making an attempt to improve your current situation, or giving your employer the chance to keep you, you could be missing out on a better opportunity at your current job. Before you start searching outside of your current company ask for any lateral or upward shifts that you may be better suited for within your current company. Some companies have clauses in their employment agreements that prohibit employees from seeking work with competitive firms for a specific period of time after termination. You may be violating your current agreement with your job search, so it's best to check on any statutes of limitations that your employer may have specified in your employment contract. Prospective employers may inadvertently contact you or your present employer when screening your application. The last thing you want is for a prospective employer to contact your current employer if it's going to compromise your job situation. Using the wrong email address or phone number could wind up costing you two jobs – the one you applied for, and the one that currently pays the bills. Of course, if you were otherwise content at your current job, finding out that you're grossly underpaid compared to similar positions that you've discovered are available via networking sites like LinkedIn can also be detrimental. Learning this information can cause a whole other kind of problem for you at work. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Facebook: Employers Wanting Username and Password? Posted: 22 Mar 2012 06:23 AM PDT Facebook is the 2nd most popular website in the world. People are constantly updating their status, sharing photos, and checking their friends' status . This idea of sharing updates and posting pictures has literally changed our lives and the world we live in. Facebook has penetrated almost every aspect of our lives: school (remember the days when you had to have a .edu email address to sign up for Facebook?) family, church, community, and even the workplace. This last area, the workplace, is perhaps the most controversial: how should your online social life fit in to your professional world? Earlier this week, this article  highlighted just how important and controversial Facebook has become as employers try to hire the best candidate for a job. More employers want to know exactly what you do on your social media accounts.  And the best way for them to see your online activity? Get your password. It's becoming a more common request, but not all applicants are okay with it. But can you blame them? Isn't that personal information? And do employers have the right to ask that? From an employer's perspective, I understand wanting to peruse candidates' social media sites. After recently participating in a hiring process, we did use Facebook profiles (after resumes) to filter out the best candidates. Looking at profile pages gave us the chance to see if there was any glaring "problems" with the candidate. If there were obvious problems, they were no longer considered for interview, saving us time and money. Facebook truly can be a great time-saver for employers to use when narrowing down the field of candidates—if you can access their profile. On the other hand, Facebook users can enhance security settings letting you control who sees your profile. It is your personal profile and you have the right to decide who has access to it and who does not. If you use these security settings and have a private profile, employers can't access your profile without first getting your permission. If you don't have a private profile, employers can get a better sense of who you are, for better or worse, simply by searching for you on Facebook. If you do have a private profile, prepare yourself to get asked about it in your next job interview. The interviewer might even goes so far as to ask for your login and password information. Bosses want to know exactly who you are—both at the job and online. But is that right? How do you think employers and employees should handle this Facebook dilemma?

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