Would you say something about an inappropriate 'banner' photo on someone's facebook when they are trying to get a job?

[PattiMayor]

My niece will graduate this summer and starting to apply for graduate jobs at a number of different companies, some of them quite big/well known.

As her header on whatever that new facebook thing is called - 'timeline' - she has a black and white photo of her that a friend of hers who is a budding photographer took.

It's a headshot only but she's head down (a la Princess Di) with a finger in her mouth, twirling her hair around her finger

Would I be a dreadful old fuddy duddy if I said to her that she might want to consider changing the photo in case any potential employers decide to look at her facebook page? She has her privacy settings on full lock down so they can't see all the photos of her boozing it up etc.

Do employers look? Would they care?

I've suggested to DS in the past that he changed his profile picture, and also got DD to change her voicemail message when she was expecting a job related call. In both instances they were amusing, but might have created a certain impression!!

So many employers and agencies check Facebook now.

Maybe make a light-hearted comment about any prospective employer checking her FB thinking that his luck's in? Hopefully she'll be bright enough to work out for herself that it might not be the best advert for her!

I'd suggest it because they will look. Also she should think about having a clear out of drunk photos too - ridiculous I know but when things are so competitive you don't want to disadvantage yourself in anyway. I did this before I started applying for grad schemes. Also she should update her security so her profile isn't searchable on google (as I do think they will look but they shouldn't do don't make it easy for them.)

yes. because they will look, and cover photos are public.

unless she is applying for a job where that is a desired look/characteristic

My profile is hidden, but there are a few others with the same name as me, so what happens with my job hunting?, I can't control what the other "me's" put up there

I don't think they can turn you down on the basis that (as far as they can tell), you don't have a facebook page!

Happily, my niece changed her picture and is now shortlisted for a graduate job (and not one where the Lolita look is required :o)