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A new CareerBuilder.com survey finds 22 percent of employers used social networks in the hiring process. Social networking consultants will spin this to mean that everyone but you is using social networks, ohmigod you have to act now! But the math says that nearly four out of five employers don't use social networks to vet applications. Only 1 in 15 of the 31,000 employers surveyed had bounced a candidate based on a social network entry. What's more interesting is what those who do look are looking for:

The top areas of concern found on social networking sites include:

  • Information about alcohol or drug use (41% of managers said this was a top concern)
  • Inappropriate photos or information posted on a candidate's page (40%)
  • Poor communication skills (29%)
  • Badmouthing of former employers or fellow employees (28%)
  • Inaccurate qualifications (27%)
  • Unprofessional screen names (22%)
  • Notes showing links to criminal behavior (21%)
  • Confidential information about past employers (19%)