Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, Twitter and even Seesmic. All social networking sites. Throw in people who blog about their lives and interests. It all is permanently etched in the “mind” of Google, MSN, Yahoo! and other search engines. The impact of individuals behaviour in social networking applications may have serious consequences for employers and employees in the future. What are they?

Already, activities in social networking sites are being used as evidence in divorce court in the US and Canada. And the evidence is holding up. Youth who post pictures and videos of drunken shenanigans, may come under fire in future. Will nothing be sacred? It may well be that employers will increasingly conduct searches inside Facebook, Bebo and MySpace for applicants past behaviour. What they may find could cost someone a job. We’ve heard some stories already.

For employers, they may also risk being sued by prospective and current employees for invasion of privacy. Although an employer may ask permission, this sets challenges for employers if the candidate says “no” since it may breed suspicion, though there is likely nothing of concern there.

This will increasingly become an issue. Companies will need to have an effective HR policy with legal counsel review and decide if such a search when screening a candidate is necessary. Our advice working with HR companies has revolved around not conducting these searches and asking permission if it is felt a search is necessary. But such an activity should be explained to a candidate before hand, so that they can prepare and they have a right to take down any pictures of drunken nights if they feel the need to do so. We’ve all been there and that shouldn’t impact a hiring decision.

This issue goes deeper but senior executives will have to develop a policy at some point. It’s the nature of how it is today and more so in the future. Will the youth of today however, consider that a factor? Does this register another shift in the changing career options landscape?