Facebook may very well help you get your first job out of college. It may also be the reason why you strike out with every employer. The proof is in the profile. According to a study co-authored by business professor Kevin Mossholder, the information students post on Facebook can reliably predict the personality traits that make a prospective employee either a go or a no go.

“Facebook has become another way to evaluate job candidates,” explains Mossholder. “Our studies revealed that it is possible to learn as much about someone’s personality traits from looking at their Facebook profile for 10 minutes as you can from working with them daily for six months.” Is it any wonder that employers are increasingly demanding password access to job applicants’ Facebook pages?

Everything on your Facebook profile is fair game. Prospective employers look at the number of friends you have, the posts on your Wall, your pictures and the books, movies, bands and organizations that you “like.” From this information, they will answers questions such as “Will this person be dependable?” or “How emotionally stable is this person?”  Most importantly, they will determine whether the personality you exhibit on Facebook will fit within their organization.