If you know you would perform well at a job, even though you are a party animal, or wild thing, or any other corny phrase, be careful what you put online. Unless it benefits your career prospects, it might actually be used against you.
The New York Times has an article online about how some prospective employers are using the internet to research possible candidates, and passing on candidates that have some pretty “interesting” online details.
For example:
Curious about the candidate, Ms. Homayoun went to her page on Facebook. She found explicit photographs and commentary about the student’s sexual escapades, drinking and pot smoking, including testimonials from friends. Among the pictures were shots of the young woman passed out after drinking.
“I was just shocked by the amount of stuff that she was willing to publicly display,” Ms. Homayoun said. “When I saw that, I thought, ‘O.K., so much for that.’ “
So, be careful what you reveal. Unless you’re looking for a job as a terrorist, don’t do go doing what the following candidate did online:
…a recruiter had told her he rejected an applicant after searching the name of the student, a chemical engineering major, on Google. Among the things the recruiter found, she said, was this remark: “I like to blow things up.”
That is exactly right. I guess you should never underestimate the power of Google. If you have a page on My Space, Facebook, etc. that IS related and professional, you should definitely include it in your resume and/or cover letter.