Perils of Social Networking

The prevalence of social networking, be it MySpace, FaceBook, or Blogging, is starting to cause problems for new graduates finding a job. With the ability to search these tools based on the candidates name and school, potential employers are now able to gather information prior to the interview. If the candidate has embellished themselves, the employer is going to have the wrong impression. I have seen instances where the candidate has stated how outgoing and adventurous they believe themselves to be. During the interview, they are withdrawn and do not look at the interviewer. When the interview brings up a hobby the candidate climbed to enjoy, they hemmed and hawwed and danced around the topic. Granted, the interviewer asked a leading question, but for the most part, an interview is not so much about the skills as it is about the fit of the candidate within the company.