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If I write a "Letter to the Editor" of the local newspaper, can I ask my spouse not to read it, because I know he won't agree with my opinion? Of course not. In fact, because I am a person of interest in his life, I expect that he will be all the more anxious to scan the editorial page the night that my letter is published.

The same situation exists in this modern-day technologically-driven society between employees and employers or prospective employers. MySpace, YouTube and Facebook are public web sites. Once something is posted, it is there for all the world to see. The wise participant will keep this fact in mind when posting anything. Not only is your own space open to view, but also those of your friends. Care should be taken that nothing negative appears which may damage the image of anyone being scanned by a potential employer.

It is possible to block access to one person, but nothing prevents a determined searcher from logging in under his wife's name, or that of one of his teenagers. There, in glorious detail, he can find a list of your friends, see examples of your composition skills, your spelling, your interests outside of work, your web address, maybe even your picture. No wonder rumor has it that the CIA keeps a close watch on these sites. In some cases, they have more information about your current companions and activities than your parents do.

These public forums have much to recommend them. They help keep track of old friends, they provide quick and easy access to others when the phone is busy. You can leave messages to be read at the other's convenience. The other day, I even set up my own Christmas tree and chose a gift for myself, while the site genie played my favorite Carol on a guitar. Ah, the wonders of modern technology!

But consider, what message would this seemingly harmless preoccupation send to a prospective employer? "Hmmm... this individual doesn't have much to do. She's fooling around on the computer again. She's bought herself a present...probably daydreams a lot. If she does this at work, she's wasting time and money at a great rate! She's probably tired from a late date last night with that weird character wearing Mickey Mouse ears. I really don't think that she'd be an asset to our company." Delete.

Busy employers often work under stress and time is a valuable commodity for them. They make quick decisions on available information. They don't have the time or the inclination to dig beneath the surface and perhaps uncover a diamond in the rough. A quick perusal through your remarks and those of your friends to and about you, on MySpace, YouTube and/or Facebook may seal your fate one way or the other as an employee or prospective employee with their company.

Remember this before you post anything on these sites. Remind your friends to keep remarks positive, and promise to do the same for them. You never know when Big Brother and other interested parties may be looking in.

Learn more about this author, Carolyn Tytler.
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