There’s nothing wrong with going out on the weekends and unwinding a little bit, so long as it’s all legal fun. Though it’s innocent enough, there are some things that one wouldn’t necessarily want his or her grandmother to see.

Inevitably, some of these weekend escapades end up on Facebook.

Luckily, your grandmother probably doesn’t log in to see what new photos have been uploaded.

But your future employer might.

We know, we know. You’ve heard the lecture before: Think about the possible future implication of anything you publish about yourself on the Web. And for the sake of transparency – there are a few photos of us that may not cast us in an absolutely professional light.

But it really is something to think about as graduation looms and job hunts begin. More and more, the Internet is giving employers an easy way to check up on potential employees.

Social networking sites like Facebook are just the tip of what is now easily searchable with a trip to Google. Personal Web sites, blogs, posts on online forums – all are readily available to pretty much anyone who wishes to learn a little more about you.

It’s Facebook, though, that has been in the news lately. Earlier this month, the networking site relented to user complaints about the inability to delete their accounts and added a link to the Privacy and Security help page detailing how users can permanently remove their accounts. Part of what you’re instructed to do is write Facebook and tell them you’d like your profile deleted.

If you prefer to deactivate, rather than delete, your account, all profile information will be saved within Facebook’s servers.

We mention this not to bash Facebook, but as a reminder that what gets posted online is much harder to remove than you may realize.

Remember, too, that it isn’t just photos that could portray you in a way you’d rather not be portrayed to employers.

Do you really want the human resources person at the finance firm you’re trying to get a job at seeing you’re a proud member of the group “Butt Sex Kills Puppies?”

Think it’s a good idea to join the group “I’ve Been arrested and proud of it!”

Your employer probably would prefer not to hire someone who has added an application titled “What serial killer are you?”

So use a little common sense. Drop some of those groups that on second look don’t look so good after all. Make use of the privacy options Facebook offers. No one wants to miss out on a great job because of a joke they’ve posted online.

The above editorial is the consensus of the Daily Kent Stater editorial board.