A great article in the NY times last week sheds a little more light and throws out a kind reminder for those using social networks. In this article, the New York Times refers to a report (click for .pdf) called Online Reputation in a Connected World. Nearly 75% of human-resource professionals and recruiters are required by their employers to conduct online research about potential candidates–including the likes of Facebook, Twitter, personal web sites, blogs, and other information-sharing ‘sites. This comes as little shock to me, as many of my career advisors during my last year of college emphasized the importance of one’s web appearance and reputation. Not only do 75% of companies look at one’s online reputation, a shocking 70% of U.S. recruiters report they have rejected candidates solely based on information that is found online. But, hey, at least they’re nice about. The survey reports that 86% of these companies inform declined candidates they have been rejected due to what’s been found online about them.

There is no question that a majority of the people in the United States are just simply not aware of internet data privacy concerns. U.S. citizens don’t have as much of a sense of privacy or concern for who delves into their private lives. That information is freely available for all to browse, so companies like Google (who everyone loves, right?!) have no problem taking advantage of it. The report also states that candidates around the world are starting to get the picture. 80% of the 1,106 worldwide consumers surveyed in this report claimed that they have attempted to keep their private and business lives seperate–keeping personal information online protected.

So, for now, everyone out there looking for jobs (especially recent grads): know the ropes. It’s really pretty obvious that no employer wants to hire someone that appears to spend more time doing keg stands than anything else. Just take an extra few seconds in the account settings and adjust your privacy settings a bit to make sure any information you’re posting is information you want everyone to read.

Here is another great article related to this report and other issues reguarding online privacy.

“This Fall, I will be taking my talents to South Beach …”

Ok. So now we know. LeBron is going to Miami to play with his buds, Bosh and D-Wade. Good for him.

Two years ago, NBA fans began wondering. Then in recent weeks, even the most casual fan became swept up in the unprecedented, over-the-top hype and speculation that was the 2010 LeBron-a-Thon.

But what fueled the machine? Us – the public, the common person, listening, watching, reading, consuming? Media – keeping a round-the-clock vigil with their own, personal “sources”? LeBron himself, by being secretive? Eh. I dunno. It all feeds on itself, dontcha think? And is it really all that bad? It’s actually kind of wonderfully amazing that we can choose tour own level of participation.

Here’s what I mean. I heard that LeBron just started his own Twitter account last week. I am a light Tweeter and didn’t feel compelled to follow him. I figured I’d hear about his decision quickly enough, through the four-letter network and their empire. And although I am an avid reader of numerous sports blogs, I went ahead and skipped much of the online hoo-ha about LJ. Honestly, I would rather sit around with the guys in the office and talk about the free-agent possibilities. I even changed the station from my favorite sports talk show when it got a little too thick and hype-tastic.

So it’s kinda like the sun on a hot day in July. Limit your exposure and you can control the effects.
Even in today’s uber-connected society, I could choose how much I would be informed. And it was just the right amount – for me.

Here’s a great story from the Miami Herald about what it will all mean for the Miami Heat.

Miami Herald story – Revenue for Heat?

Judge for yourself. But whatever you think of the LeBron-a-Thon, just remember … they still have to go out and play basketball. And won’t that be fun to watch?

The word is out–it’s coming. Google will be taking another stab at social media. Four months ago, Google released Google Buzz which failed to impress just about everyone…that has ever even heard of it. Google Buzz is a tool that allows it’s users to share links, pictures, and thoughts with friends through gmail. However, Buzz caused some major piracy issues upon it’s debut, and it’s limited use wasn’t really putting any roadblocks in front of Facebook’s growth. Google is making a new move with this project tentatively called Google Me. Google Me will be a first-class social network, much more than Okrut and Buzz are. Apparently, they are modeling it off Facebook, which is likely to mean that there will be similar features like news feeds and personal profiles.

Social media and networking has been an important goal for Google, but the company hasn’t been able to produce anything innovative. If Google Me does come to light, expect it to be a better version of Facebook. I would imagine that it would have more clear-cut privacy settings and controls, allowing users to feel a bit more comfortable posting content and sharing personal information. But, will anyone use it? Afterall, Facebook has been developing their network since 2004. Timing is everything.

6/15/2010

The setting is a production line at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana near Princeton; elaborate robots spin and maneuver, sparks fly and a career begins—at least that’s the reaction Conexus Indiana leaders are hoping for from young people viewing online videos at DreamItDoItIndiana.com, a new website designed to attract young Hoosiers to careers in the state’s advanced manufacturing and logistics (AML) industry.

The website is the centerpiece of Conexus’ “Dream It. Do It.” program, a broad marketing effort to attract more young Hoosiers to AML careers.

“To maintain our position as first in the nation in manufacturing, Indiana has to remain competitive in human capital,” says Conexus Vice President of Workforce and Community Programs Claudia Cummings. “That means people not only have to have an interest in careers in advanced manufacturing and logistics, but they also have to have the proper training to fill the jobs.” Listen

Conexus leaders say recruiting young people to AML careers is more critical than ever; the Hoosier industry is bracing for a “tidal wave” of Baby Boomer retirements. The resulting gap is projected to create a shortage of qualified workers in AML’s high growth sectors, including medical manufacturing, aerospace, supply chain management, electric vehicles and other clean technologies. Listen

The “Dream It. Do It.” campaign, which targets young Hoosiers between the ages of 16 and 24, is striving to connect this tech-savvy generation with Indiana’s emerging high-tech jobs in manufacturing and logistics by “speaking their language;” designing an interactive, multimedia website and social media network.

“You’re not going to see a lot of TV commercials or billboards from us,” says Cummings. “Instead, we’re going to be laser targeted at our audience—young people who have an aptitude for technology. We’re going to be using Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, with our centerpiece being this robust website with multimedia activities including games, videos and quizzes.” Listen

On the website, visitors can watch videos that showcase some of the high-tech AML companies in Indiana; young people will see engines manufactured at Rolls-Royce for unmanned military aircraft, slick cars powered by EnerDel’s lithium-ion batteries and FedEx jets—loaded with packages processed in Indianapolis—taking to the sky.

In addition to sparking interest in AML careers, Conexus hopes giving young Hoosiers a first-hand look inside AML operations will help change their outdated perception of the industry. It’s a critical step toward filling job openings, according to Cathy Langham, owner and president of Langham Logistics in Indianapolis and a member of the Conexus board.

“[Before launching Dream It. Do It.], if you asked high school kids what logistics meant, they didn’t know. They had no idea,” says Langham. “I’m most excited about this campaign helping people understand more about this industry—it’s not just driving trucks. This will help kids understand what AML is and the opportunities.” Listen

The website also encourages visitors to create personal accounts, which will be used to connect them with specific information about careers and educational opportunities that could lead to enrollment in programs of study. Since the website’s launch, more than 300 accounts have already been created.

Langham says driving young people to educational programs designed for AML careers is greatly needed to create human capital.

“Hiring hasn’t been easy the last couple of years—and that’s for all levels of positions,” says Langham. “From the basic skills up to the higher level skills, it’s not easy. It’s been very difficult to find people with all the skills we look for.” Listen

It’s a common concern across the state’s AML industry, and Conexus leaders are confident the new website, combined with the overall “Dream It. Do It.” campaign, will battle workforce shortages and prepare a new generation of workers to maintain the industry’s might.