Online social networking Web sites may reveal more than students realize

University Park, Pa. -- Imagine this: Your Penn State student is about to graduate and is in the middle of an intense job search. A prospective employer tells her that she’s a finalist for a coveted position.

Your student is buoyant. Excitement rules the day.

Several days later, that excitement is transformed to despair. The employer just called to inform her that they've decided to hire someone else.

"Why?" she asks. "Were my grades not good enough? Was it my suit? Was it something I said?"

None of the above.

It might have been something as simple as questionable material she posted on her Facebook.com or MySpace.com Web site. That might not sound fair, but increasingly it's a reality in today's high-pressure job market.

"According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 26.9 percent of organizations said they 'Google' candidates or review profiles on social networks," said Bob Orndorff, associate director for career counseling at Penn State's Career Services Center. "In all, 254 organizations across the country responded to the survey. That gives an indication that employers are using social networks to take a peek at prospective job candidates when they get down to the final five or so."

It's a growing trend, according to Orndorff. He and Career Services staff are working hard to make sure students understand this and are providing students with advice.

"We stress to students that while you post information thinking that it is somewhat safe, people can get on, and not just ones you invite," Orndorff said.

So, what are students to do?

"The main thing we're saying is use common sense,” Orndorff said. "We use the example of what would you feel comfortable seeing on the front page of your local paper. Most students who participate in social networking have no idea recruiters might tap into this."

Orndorff said information about responsible posting on social networks is being incorporated into Career Services' student programming.

"We discuss new technologies that today's students are using, such as blogging, podcasting and social networking sites," he said.

"Today's students are hopping jobs many more times in their lifetime than their parents or grandparents. There could be as many as 10-12 jobs in their career. Recruiters are investing time to get to know them.

"In recruiter surveys, the top skills or qualities are interpersonally related and character related. Recruiters are looking for communication skills, teamwork, honesty, integrity, motivation, work ethic and initiative. These are not hard skills we're talking about."

Orndorff added that recruiters can find good students with good GPAs. What they are looking for is good students, with good GPAs AND good soft skills -- interpersonal and character skills.

"Recruiters know that students are tech savvy. They know they can teach students how to use a computer program. But how do you teach them to be tactful in conflict or have an appropriate sense of humor? You can always find an engineering graduate with a good GPA. But can you find an engineering graduate with a good GPA with good soft skills? One who is a team player and a hard worker?"

More and more, Orndorff said, those soft skills are difference-makers in the hiring process.

"Honesty and integrity were not in the top eight 10 years ago," he said. "Now, they're No. 2 on the list."