So, prior to our CSS search, the last time I had to do any significant due diligence on a potential co-worker was roughly two years ago. And then, I was hiring for a position on the other side of the desk. So, it was an employee, not a contractor.

It dawned on me, this morning, how incredibly different the selection process was, this time around.

Not just because it was hiring a contractor versus hiring an employee, but because of the different landscape that exists, today, for due diligence.

And while it’s like fairly obvious to a lot of you, I thought I would provide a listing of the top 10 sites I used for due diligence during my search for a CSS contractor. And, just for fun, whenever possible I’ll provide a link to my results, so that you can get an idea of the types of information that’s sitting out there.

1. Google
   Nuff said.
2. LinkedIn or JibberJobber or other “business related” social networks, like Biznik or Zoodango or whatever
   While subscribing to some type of business network is far from a pre-requisite, it’s always an interesting indicator of the type of company the person keeps. Especially the “recommendation” section.
3. Zoominfo or other personal-profile aggregator services
   Sure, this is the information they provided. But what does the Web history hold in store for me? Are there a bunch of random references to this person as part of their virtual breadcrumb trail?
4. Facebook or MySpace or other “personal” social networks
   Sometimes more information than you needed or wanted, but always worth a look.
5. Flickr or YouTube or Viddler or other creative-sharing sites
   Especially if you’re hiring for creative positions, these resources can be a valuable indicator of vision. Or, in my case, lack thereof.
6. Twitter or Pownce or other microblogging sites
   These types of sites, like blogs (below), can be a really good way to get a feel for personality, pet peeves, cohorts, and the times that the person likes to work.
7. Google Blogsearch or Technorati or IceRocket
   These types of services will provide a slightly different take. Not only will you get an idea of the person’s writing style, attention to detail, and views, you’ll also get an idea about who is blogging about them.
8. Del.icio.us or Magnolia or Digg or other bookmarking social networks
   Opinion of personal or professional links, aside, these sites will give you a good indicator of what’s important to that person.
9. Upcoming or other event sites
   These sites give you a good history of the types of events the individual attends. Lots of learning or lots of partying? A good mix of both? Or, in my case, no social life whatsoever.
10. Amazon or Shelfari or other book review sites
    What types of literature does this person read? How insightful are his or her comments? Better yet, have they actually written any books? Been quoted or mentioned?
11. Last and certainly least, Monster or HotJobs or other resume sites
    While these sites are becoming more and more useless as a means of finding employees and contractors, they are an exceptional source of historical documentation. Mostly, because people have outdated resumes that they haven’t updated for years. While a LinkedIn profile might describe the last two vice president positions this person held, it’s highly likely that the Monster profile will show you they were flipping burgers two jobs before that.

Oh my. Big Brother is alive and well, I’m afraid.

People hiring are going to be checking this stuff more and more.

Do you have some weeding and/or updating to do? Me, too.