Before applying for that job recheck your Facebook page

Job seekers need to be watchful while posting information about themselves on social networking sites like Facebook and Orkut, as majority of the Indian companies are using such sites to scan more about the candidates, a survey has found.

Out of the 100 employers surveyed, about 73% of them said they use social networking sites to research job candidates while, another 15% plan to start use these sites for screening, according to the report by online job-site, CareerBuilder India.

The report revealed that about 42% of employers have found content on social networking sites which leads them not to hire prospective candidate. About 48% of employers said they disregarded a particular candidate after screening because he lied about his qualifications on social networking sites and 31% of employers said they did not hire a candidate as he showed poor communication skills.

Further, the report said, badmouthing previous employer, co-workers or clients, and sharing confidential information from previous employer are some of the other reasons for not selecting the prospective candidates. More than 1,000 employers participated in the survey, which was completed in December 2009.

“Social networking is a great way to make connections with potential job opportunities in 2010 and promote your personal brand across the Internet. Make sure you are using this resource to your advantage by conveying a professional image and underscoring your qualifications,” CareerBuilder India managing director Arti Pullins said.

About 59% of employers reported that a good profile supported by job-seekers’ professional qualifications help them in recruiting. The report suggested that job-seekers should remove photos, content and links that can work against them, while searching for a job.