Be Careful of Personal Information You Place on the Internet

One in five hiring managers say they use social networking sites to research candidates -- and 1/3 of them dimiss candidates after what they discover.

A survey by online job site CareerBuilder.com of 3,169 hiring managers found 22 percent of them screened potential staff via social networking profiles, up from 11 percent in 2006.

An additional 9 percent said they plan to start using social networking sites like Facebook or MySpace to screen potential employees.

The survey found that 34 percent of the managers who do screen candidates on the Internet found content that made them drop the candidate from any short list.

The top area for concern among the hiring managers were candidates posting:

• Information about drinking or using drugs
• Provocative or inappropriate photographs or information

Other areas of concern to arise from social network sites were:

• Poor communication skills
• Lying about qualifications
• Using discriminatory remarks related to race, gender or religion
• Having an unprofessional screen name

But the survey found hiring managers scouring social network pages was not all bad with 24 percent of these managers saying they found content to help them solidify their decision to hire that candidate.

Top factors that influenced their hiring decision included:

• Candidate's backgrounds supporting their qualifications for the job
• Proving they had good communications skills
• Having a site that conveyed a professional image with a wide range of interests

Be careful of personal information that you post on the Internet

Top Jobs for Satisfaction

"Work occupies a large part of each worker’s day, is one’s main source of social standing, helps to define who a person is and affects one’s health both physically and mentally.”

A survey of job satisfaction conducted by the General Social Survey (GSS) at the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, based on 27, 000 interviews indicates:
47% are satisfied with their jobs

Top 10 Jobs for Satisfaction
Clergy 87%
Fire Fighters 80%
Physical Therapists 78%
Authors 74%
Special Education Teachers 70%
Teachers 69%
Education Administrators 68%
Painters and Sculptors 67%
Psychologists 67%
Security and Financial Services Salespersons 65%
Operating Engineers 64%
Office Supervisors 61%

Other jobs in which 50 percent reported "high satisfaction" included: police and detectives, registered nurses, accountants, editors, and reporters. Apparently, the perceived prestige (as opposed to actual salary) of a profession had an effect on job satisfaction and general happiness.

Most Affordable Places to Retire in U.S.

The 40 largest Census-defined metropolitan statistical areas were ranked for cost of living factors like housing affordability and inflationary pressures. All data was provided by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics and the U.S. Census. The rankings by Forbes were also based on the:

• Number of persons over 65 who are currently employed.
• Percent of people living below the poverty level are in their golden years.
• Number of doctors per capita
• Number of citizens tapping their Medicare benefits per thousand people--an important issue for those 65 and older.

The top 10 Most Affordable Places to Live in the U.S. include:

1. Columbus, OH

Columbus has a low cost of living and affordable housing--seniors seem to get along just fine. More than a fifth of folks over 65 are employed, and that age group only constitutes 6% of persons living under the poverty level, which indicates that independent living is en vogue in this river city.

2. Dallas, TX

Dallas has a robust economy, thanks to the many corporations headquartered in the city’s center. With sunny weather, low taxes and Southern hospitality, this Texas town is a great place to retire.

3. Minneapolis, MN

This twin city has a reputation for big city arts and nightlife, but it can accommodate a retiree’s fixed budget. While the winter may be rough, the cost of living won’t be.

4. Houston, TX

With tax revenues flowing from the oil and alternative energy industries centered there and a bustling tech scene, retirees won’t need to worry that they are settling into a place on the slide. Throw in affordable housing and sunny weather, and Houston is a great place to begin again.

5. Salt Lake City, UT

Utah’s capital is growing fast. With nearly 16 doctors per thousand people--far above the national average--retirees can be reassured by the cluster of medical professionals and facilities nearby. With a median age of 30, retirees may not blend in, but they can be sure that economic growth is ahead.

6. Indianapolis, IN

This Midwestern city ranked No. 1 for housing affordability relative to income and No. 8 for inflation. With Purdue University providing some youthful vibrancy and Colts fans upping the energy, this is one reasonably priced and lively place to retire.

7. Denver, CO

A Rocky Mountain retirement will involve outdoor living, a vibrant nightlife, and a manageable cost of living. Denver, one of Forbes.com’s Best Cities for Singles, attracts people of all ages making it a good long-term bet for retirees who want to ensure that they are settling somewhere with a bright future.

8. St. Louis, MO

Greater St. Louis is growing fast and with good reason. Affordable housing and sluggish inflation (just 3.2% in June 2008) make this is a great place to retire.

9. Atlanta, GA

This southern city isn’t just for young singletons and families. In terms of net migration among people over 65, Atlanta ranked No. 3 with droves of older Americans picking this affordable and desirable place to spend their golden years.

10. Nashville, TN

With a population of 1,486,695, this city came in at No. 9 for affordable housing. It was also one of our Best Places for Business in 2007. Add in pleasant weather and all the benefits a community derives from a top-notch university like Vanderbilt and you’ve got a fine place to retire.

Most Affordable Places to Retire