In talking with job seekers, I often ask if they are actively using social networking sites, notably LinkedIn, as part of their approach to landing a new job.   I get a yes answer only about half the time.  I strongly encourage these folks to build their profile on LinkedIn, start making connections, and seek recommendations from former colleagues, managers, and direct reports.

To add some credence to this recommendation, I now have some evidence that hiring managers are using LinkedIn and other social networking sites to screen job candidates.   CareerBuilder conduced a survey of more than 2,600 hiring managers and found that the number of companies using social networking sites to screen job candidates has doubled over the past year.  Of those surveyed, 45 percent say that they are conducting research on potential hires using one or more social networking sites.

The most common sites checked by hiring managers and recruiters are LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace.  Additionally, a smaller number are checking out candidates’ blog posts (11%) and Twitter updates (7%).

Given the fact that more and more hiring managers are using internet searches to gather additional information about potential hires, everyone (regardless of their current employment status) needs to be vigilant about what they put out there in cyberspace.   In the previously cited survey, 35 percent of employers decided NOT to hire someone because of what they found out about them on a social networking site.  Their reasons included:

• Inappropriate photographs
• Negative comments about former employers or clients
• Content illustrating poor communication skills

On the flip side, hiring managers may be positively influenced to extend a job offer to candidates whose profiles support their qualifications and indicate a good fit with the hiring company.

So, what’s a person to do?

First, determine what a hiring manager is likely to find if he or she searches for your name using Google and other popular search engines.   If you find content that could leave a hiring manager with a negative or unprofessional impression of you, do what you can to remove or hide that content.  Most social networking sites have privacy settings that can be adjusted to limit access to your full profile.

Next, create or update profiles on popular social networking sites that highlight your professional qualifications, strengths, and differentiators.  In other words, build your personal brand.  Add content that you would be proud to have anyone read.

So, have your Googled yourself lately?