Employers usually go through an arduous process when choosing the right candidate for a job, be it full-time or internship. These days, social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are among the places employers seek out for a quick glimpse into the applicant’s true colors.

Students looking for that first internship or entry level job should be cognizant of their internet presence. Unflattering “party pics” that can be found floating around on the internet may narrow job opportunities.

When Facebook was first introduced, all profiles were available to the public. However, with privacy features now in play, one must ask permission to view a full page. According to Morgan Baughman, of Short North Business Association in Columbus, Ohio, “You have to ‘friend’ most people before you can see anything but their profile picture. So I just try to get a general read from that tiny little photo. If the person is holding a party cup and looks really trashed, it makes me ambivalent.”

Experts agree that when applying for an internship or full-time job, candidates must think like an employer. Oftentimes information a student thinks is harmless turns out otherwise.

“I use Facebook to scope out possible interns,” notes Baughman. “I find it’s difficult to get an accurate read on people from a cover letter, resume, and half hour interview.” It goes without saying that applicants present their best behavior during a job interview, possibly slanting their views to fit what they think the employer wants to hear. “On Facebook, people let their guards down and you can get a better idea of who they really are.”

However, Facebook is meant as a social networking tool – mostly used among friends. “Admittedly, it’s not entirely fair for employers to use Facebook,” Baughman says. Employees are representatives of their companies during business hours, and unless there is a problem that might affect one’s productivity, employers cannot dictate what people do off the clock. “Companies should make their hiring decisions based on professional history, not recreation hobbies.”

Because we live within a deluge of information on the internet, it is ever important for job seekers to market themselves professionally in every way possible. Staying in control of the information posted about oneself on the internet is an important step in getting ahead in the professional world.