I've learned a bunch of my Facebook friends' middle names this month. Corporate recruiting is heating up, and changing online identities to thwart snoopy potential employers is the new trend. Nicknames are substituted for first names, middle names replace last names and spellings are distorted, all in the hopes of covering up any signs of scandal and maintaining a clean online presence.
It sounds paranoid, but if you ask around, the concern is warranted. When my older brother was offered a job in Cleveland recently, the employer told him that other recruits had been dismissed due to their vulgar language on Twitter.
According to a Huffington Post article last year, nearly 40 percent of hiring managers search for applicants on social media sites. Across the Atlantic, the U.K. business psychology firm OPP reports an even higher rate up to 56 percent.
In a competitive job market and less than stellar economy, a one-in-two shot of that profile picture from pledge term ruining your prospects doesn't seem worth it.
Beyond the statistics and stories, our own Career Services office is certain that employers check out potential hires' social media activity, and urges students to avoid doing anything online that might tarnish their image.
"Our advice is if you have anything on social media that you wouldn't want your mother or father to see, take it down," associate director Monica Wilson said. "Another piece of advice is to have a friend Google you to see what comes up. It doesn't work quite as well if you do it yourself."
The office has seen a number of cases where students' online material backfires. Employers have contacted Wilson after finding photos of students drinking alcohol or dressed provocatively.
Riley Ennis '15, recipient of a Thiel Foundation Fellowship, said he has been in contact with researchers through social networking sites since 11th grade, and knows that many of his connections actively check employee social media activity, especially Facebook.
"They have ways of looking at it so that even if you hide it, they'll still find it," he said. "Anything you do on the Internet is there."
When recruiters are Dartmouth alumni, they're likely to tap into campus networks and mutual connections to learn about potential hires.
"Alums will be more clued in as to where to look to find information about you as a Dartmouth student," Wilson said.
To circumvent these potential obstacles, students like Julia Souba '15 have found their own ways to prevent employers from tracking them down.
"I changed my name on Facebook in case an employer does decide to creep," she said. "Nobody advised me to do so, but I figured rather be safe than sorry, though I don't have too much incriminating stuff."
James McNay '15 is also in the midst of corporate recruiting, but chose to keep his real name online.
"I've heard there's a reasonably good chance an employer could find you on Facebook," he said. "I just went through mine before recruiting started and made sure there wasn't anything really bad on there."
Determining what qualifies as "really bad" is partially dependent on the industry you are aiming to join. Government jobs and related fields such as the Peace Corps require an extensive background check.
Even when you think you're playing it safe, your social media activity can follow you. Consider Snapchat. Although the popular application's main feature is that photos disappear seconds after they are opened, incriminating images can be saved in screenshots and published online.
Career Services has also had the reverse happen: students have come to them regarding inappropriate things they found online about potential employers.
"We're always happy to meet with students one-on-one to help them develop their appearance online," Wilson said. "And we can give you tips on how to search for people too."
In terms of developing a professional presence on the Internet, LinkedIn is probably a more appropriate forum than Facebook or Twitter.
Corey Vann '13 got his current job at LinkedIn when a recruiter saw his profile on the site. He now works as a GSO program rotational associate.
"It's a program for undergraduates from the best schools to learn all aspects of the business and eventually become leaders of the company," he said. "I'm in the recruiting part of the rotation now, so I work to identify and recruit the best talent for LinkedIn. Someone found me who was doing what I am doing right now."
Wilson added that Career Services encourages students to build and maintain profiles on the site.
"We've had a series of workshops on them this term, both basic and advanced," she said. "It's a great way to network with alumni and other contacts in fields that are of interest to you."
While Facebook creeping is the new norm, the reality is that even a stellar online persona is unlikely to help you. Companies aren't impressed by cover photos, the Facebook "about me" section is no substitute for a resume and you won't be fooling anyone by making your profile picture more business casual.
Still, as in an interview, having the wrong appearance can hurt you. So be careful, and if your hobbies still include things like raging, and if that album of bathroom mirror selfies is still on display, consider cleaning things up. When you land that job on Wall Street or in San Francisco, or even in Hanover you'll be happy you did.
Vann is a former member of The Dartmouth staff.
