Comments on: Confessions of a Writer: Employers Beware, I Drink Beer and Network Socially http://www.brianjameskirk.com/2008/07/confessions-of-a-writer-i-drink-beer-and-network-socially/ Freelance journalist, technology columnist, design hobbyist and media geek Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:41:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Nathan Veshecco http://www.brianjameskirk.com/2008/07/confessions-of-a-writer-i-drink-beer-and-network-socially/#comment-51 Nathan Veshecco Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:05:40 +0000 http://www.brianjameskirk.com/?p=132#comment-51 A couple things. First, any employer whose hiring is influenced by social network site tracking has got to understand that this thing is completely generational. That is to say, if the prospective employee is 18-25, the question isn't "will they or won't they belong to a social networking site?" but rather "how many will they belong to?" Unless someone is prepared to unmake the internet, it's a part of generational life that is here to stay, and I think employers basing decisions on MySpace pics would find themselves in murky legal waters if their rejections were challenged. But most people our age let these rejections stand because...well, why the hell do they let them stand?? Second, I think eventually your wordpress site will shoot to the top of the search results, given your name in the URL. But if it doesn't, it's your cross to bear for being like one of the first FIVE people in the world to sign up for MySpace. Seriously, it was like Dane Cook..then Todd..then you. A couple things. First, any employer whose hiring is influenced by social network site tracking has got to understand that this thing is completely generational. That is to say, if the prospective employee is 18-25, the question isn’t “will they or won’t they belong to a social networking site?” but rather “how many will they belong to?” Unless someone is prepared to unmake the internet, it’s a part of generational life that is here to stay, and I think employers basing decisions on MySpace pics would find themselves in murky legal waters if their rejections were challenged. But most people our age let these rejections stand because…well, why the hell do they let them stand??

Second, I think eventually your wordpress site will shoot to the top of the search results, given your name in the URL. But if it doesn’t, it’s your cross to bear for being like one of the first FIVE people in the world to sign up for MySpace. Seriously, it was like Dane Cook..then Todd..then you.

]]> By: Sean Blanda http://www.brianjameskirk.com/2008/07/confessions-of-a-writer-i-drink-beer-and-network-socially/#comment-21 Sean Blanda Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:39:10 +0000 http://www.brianjameskirk.com/?p=132#comment-21 Sweet Image sir. Sweet Image sir.

]]> By: Tim Haas http://www.brianjameskirk.com/2008/07/confessions-of-a-writer-i-drink-beer-and-network-socially/#comment-13 Tim Haas Tue, 08 Jul 2008 01:26:12 +0000 http://www.brianjameskirk.com/?p=132#comment-13 It's not your incipient alcoholism that bothers potential employers — it's the capacity for indiscretion you're potentially demonstrating (where "you" = "any young journalist, possibly but not necessarily including Brian James Kirk"). You can interpret this three ways: The Fourth Estate way — How can a source entrust his secrets to you if you can't keep your own? The cynical way — How can your employer entrust his secrets to you if you can't keep your own? The pragmatic way — How many ways will defense counsel shred this guy under cross-examination? It’s not your incipient alcoholism that bothers potential employers — it’s the capacity for indiscretion you’re potentially demonstrating (where “you” = “any young journalist, possibly but not necessarily including Brian James Kirk”).

You can interpret this three ways:

The Fourth Estate way — How can a source entrust his secrets to you if you can’t keep your own?

The cynical way — How can your employer entrust his secrets to you if you can’t keep your own?

The pragmatic way — How many ways will defense counsel shred this guy under cross-examination?

]]> By: Morgan Ashley Zalot http://www.brianjameskirk.com/2008/07/confessions-of-a-writer-i-drink-beer-and-network-socially/#comment-9 Morgan Ashley Zalot Sat, 05 Jul 2008 16:57:36 +0000 http://www.brianjameskirk.com/?p=132#comment-9 I agree! And even though journalism seems a lot more laid back to me with respect to all that, I still worry sometimes too. Good points, BJK. I agree! And even though journalism seems a lot more laid back to me with respect to all that, I still worry sometimes too.

Good points, BJK.

]]> By: Christopher Wink http://www.brianjameskirk.com/2008/07/confessions-of-a-writer-i-drink-beer-and-network-socially/#comment-8 Christopher Wink Fri, 04 Jul 2008 19:53:36 +0000 http://www.brianjameskirk.com/?p=132#comment-8 I hear you buddy. Here I am, a throwback newspaperman, but I have to hide from my employers the flask I keep in my desk. ...Oh... I hear you buddy. Here I am, a throwback newspaperman, but I have to hide from my employers the flask I keep in my desk. …Oh…

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