social networking etiquette

I just had a candidate completely ruin their chances with my hiring manager because they didn't understand proper online "social" etiquette. It is easy to get too get a false sense of familiarity with people sometimes, which sometimes have the less desirable effect of looking like a ciber-stalker.

Anybody have any thoughts on the subject or war stories you would like to share?

Here is a brief excerpt for your enjoyment. This was sent to the CEO of the company, for context..

Per rave reviews about YOU, just went to your LinkedIn Profile.. and, sure enough, you are impressive. Also, great photo -- best have seen yet on LinkedIn!!

I guess I should be glad that even after 12 years in this business, there are still things that take my by surprise.

Comment by Julia Stone on December 3, 2008 at 3:51pm: Poor Maren!

Ah, we all have one of those annoying "cousins" who can't figure out the BCC. I remember mine had the entire 5th fleet of the Navy on her list, literally, her husband was in the Navy.

Comment by Becky Metcalf on December 3, 2008 at 3:54pm: Julia,

Thank you for sharing, sorry to hear about this head-slap kind of moment. Thought I would chime in as I just had one of my own... Maybe not quite as troubling (it won’t hurt my bottom line in the end), but enough of one to leave my ego stinging after - and scrambling not to do something in hopes of making it better and instead making it worse.

It's certainly no excuse, but sometimes it seems that perfectly competent professionals get almost childlike in certain circumstances. The immediacy of the online communication sometimes forgotten right until after we press “send” or “update”. Then, “ooops, did I really just do that?” I’m not immune to doing something stupid, so I guess I try not to cut a candidate some slack, when they’ve had a moment of their own. Doesn’t make that pill any easier to swallow though! I hope you made it a learning experience for them?

Comment by Julia Stone on December 4, 2008 at 11:01am: I agree Rayanne, even better if it could also say "that sounded a bit snarky, don't ya think?" Ah, the joys of written communication in a world that moves half the speed of light.

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