Employers checking Facebook pages of job applicants

[LotusCarsLtd]

Recently a company has developed software that allows employers to check the social media websites of potential new hires. While most of what causes problems for potential new hires are racy photos and the like, comments and posts could also cause problems.

My worry is that, although I don’t have racy photos and such online, I used to regularly post links on my page discussing touchy issues of importance to the Church or which are more politically conservative in nature (including things such as the 2nd amendment, criticism of abortion and so-called gay marriage, etc.).

Although I keep my privacy settings very strict (and refuse to friend bosses or coworkers online) so that no one can search me online, I’m still worried that my conservative viewpoints could turn-off potential employers should they ever discover them.

What does everyone think? Is mine a legitimate worry?

 

[lizaanne]

Anyone who would have an issue (to the point of not hiring me) with what I have on my FB page, is not someone I would want to work for anyway. I am totally a right wing conservative Catholic patriot.

But that’s just me.

~Liza

 

[familyof4]

I saw an article about this too. I have my security set very high, because I don’t want non-friends and family accessing my info. I’ve wondered about how this could be abused as well-- whether a person is religious or leans left or right politically, what they do in their private time, as long as it is legal is absolutely personal.

This information will apparently be kept for up to seven years, if I recall correctly. It just seems extremely invasive to me.

 

[littleone]

Hi i know what your saying and the best way I think is to change say from G mail to say…hotmail or some other. Know what I mean don’t tell them what you have done . Keep your present one only for work.
OK
littleone:thumbsup:

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Anyone who would have an issue (to the point of not hiring me) with what I have on my FB page, is not someone I would want to work for anyway. I am totally a right wing conservative Catholic patriot.

But that’s just me.

~Liza

It’s good to know I’m not the only one.

 

[markincanada]

I am in that situation as we speak. I am applying for a union appointed job (which i have held in the past) and I am “friends” with one of the execs on fb. The union has left wing views in terms of social policy and I uphold to the views of the Church. I continue to post pro-life and pro-traditional-family stuff. If it costs me the appointment then I believe it is God’s will and he will provide for me in another way. Many people are afraid to speak the truth because it will come with a cost. We must be prudent in some situations but we must also “be not afraid” to speak the truth when opportunity presents itself. Post away and leave it to God to provide. He will!

 

[littleone]

They are not worthy of your employment but even though bless them for Gdo tells us to bless those who hate you.
littleone

 

[music2]

Recently a company has developed software that allows employers to check the social media websites of potential new hires. While most of what causes problems for potential new hires are racy photos and the like, comments and posts could also cause problems.

My worry is that, although I don’t have racy photos and such online, I used to regularly post links on my page discussing touchy issues of importance to the Church or which are more politically conservative in nature (including things such as the 2nd amendment, criticism of abortion and so-called gay marriage, etc.).

Although I keep my privacy settings very strict (and refuse to friend bosses or coworkers online) so that no one can search me online, I’m still worried that my conservative viewpoints could turn-off potential employers should they ever discover them.

What does everyone think? Is mine a legitimate worry?

Hmm…i would think something like that would be illegal cause wouldnt that like be agaisnt privacy laws or something?.Are you sure its legal?
If people put their FB on private,can the software still do this?

Although,i must out of biases say that i am happy to be an Australian where politics are nowhere near as big as in US and i’m not “right” or “left” wing etc

 

[puzzleannie]

you should not post anything on facebook or any other site you don’t want the whole world to know and to connect with you and your identity, that includes specifically potential or current employers

 

[cradlecatholic5]

I’ve heard that. I told my niece about it & sometimes I shudder at the things she puts on FB. She’s young. Hopefully, she’ll outgrow it.

i’m not “right” or “left” wing etc

 

[lizaanne]

I’ve heard that. I told my niece about it & sometimes I shudder at the things she puts on FB. She’s young. Hopefully, she’ll outgrow it.

I have a young cousin (18) who is a really very good kid, but being a kid he likes to “like” things that other kids are into. Some of it is pretty questionable, and with really bad language. I called him on it. I sent him a long PM about it:

Hey Cuz -
Ok - I love you. You are my cousin, and one of the coolest kids I know, even if you are related to me. So I have to tell you that some of the stuff you put on your FB page is just not cool. The groups and stuff with the “F-bomb” are just not a good idea. You are getting to the point where it’s going to be time soon to start considering where you want to go to University. Do you really want them to look for your FB page and see stuff like “f— homework”? It makes you look like something you aren’t. Appearance is a massive thing (I don’t need to tell a teenager this, surely). And to the outside world (outside teenage-land) people who see this sort of thing on your page are going to think - well, he’s not really the type we want coming to our school. It totally blows your credibility with people.

My dad and I have been talking about this for some time, and after the latest addition I just have to say something. I hope this doesn’t mean that you will drop me (or any of the rest of us old fogies) from your friends list, because I love seeing things you are doing and love the photos. We only want the world to know you as we do - an awesome guy who has so much going for him, and anyone would be crazy to pass you by. Not as a potty mouth kid who is sassy, inappropriate, and disrespectful (because that’s how it LOOKS).

Please consider this - we all love you so much. Please make that “our last name” name proud and keep your page clean.

Love you!!!
God bless,
Liza

His response back:

Hey thanks i guess

yeah you are probably right and the last thing i want is to be denied acceptance anywhere for something as trivial as this.

i went through and deleted some of the more questionable affiliations i had

just so that you know, the majority of them do not really reflect anything about me and in most cases i really only joined them for the sake of joining them.

i suppose it is helpful to have a reminder like this every once in a while.

Love you,
Cuz

Since this exchange with him well over a year go, I never see anything questionable on his FB any more.

So - if you see something going on, just call them out on it!!!

~Liza

 

[JimG]

you should not post anything on facebook or any other site you don’t want the whole world to know and to connect with you and your identity, that includes specifically potential or current employers

I agree. It’s not just a matter of posting inappropriate photos or politically sensitive information. An employer checking the social media can get a better idea of what you are like as a person than can be obtained in a personal interview. Viewing your social media profile and interactions, the employer may see you as flighty, haughty, serious, stoic, any number of things, not all necessarily bad. But it may be more than you would be willing to talk about in an interview. And the employer may form a first impression based on such search results that will be hard to overcome. The employer may not like what he sees. If you put it all out there, it’s all out there.

With the nation on the brink of depression, appearance matters.

 

[catholictiger]

Recently a company has developed software that allows employers to check the social media websites of potential new hires. While most of what causes problems for potential new hires are racy photos and the like, comments and posts could also cause problems.

My worry is that, although I don’t have racy photos and such online, I used to regularly post links on my page discussing touchy issues of importance to the Church or which are more politically conservative in nature (including things such as the 2nd amendment, criticism of abortion and so-called gay marriage, etc.).

Although I keep my privacy settings very strict (and refuse to friend bosses or coworkers online) so that no one can search me online, I’m still worried that my conservative viewpoints could turn-off potential employers should they ever discover them.

What does everyone think? Is mine a legitimate worry?

it may be a worry, but if someone lets the issue of abortion and your importance of your faith it may not be the best person to work with. I suspect even evangelical atheist would not let political views or religion affect their position. If it was you could have grounds for discrimination based on religion. You can bring a lawsuit on someone for doing that.

 

[Joe_5859]

I think Annie’s rule of thumb about not posting something you wouldn’t want associated with you is a good rule of thumb. Nonetheless, the idea of potential employers combing through family photos, birthday greetings and the like is a bit disturbing.

Still, I don’t see how anyone could see any of your postings if you have your security settings set for only friends to see.

The one thing that is public (and there doesn’t seem to be any way that I have found to make in non-public) is your interests and the groups you join. There’s no way to hide from the world the fact that “Golden Girls” is your fave TV show except to leave that portion of your profile blank.

 

[Soldier_Of_God]

There’s no way to hide from the world the fact that “Golden Girls” is your fave TV show except to leave that portion of your profile blank.

I definitely wouldn’t hire you if Golden Girls was your favourite program.

 

[Joe_5859]

One other thing. I don’t think that it’s necessarily a matter of religious discrimination if a potential employer would be concerned about certain FB postings. If you hourly post links to various sites they might construe as polemical, they might be concerned that you couldn’t help but proselytize all you come into contact with (co-workers, clients, customers, etc.).

I think that looking at a wall of FB posts creates a different impression of a person than what may come about in normal in-person interaction.

Now, this concern might be unfounded (and is probably unfair), but if they’re looking at a stack of resumes, it may be reason enough to put yours in the rejection pile.

 

[Joe_5859]

I definitely wouldn’t hire you if Golden Girls was your favourite program.

Well if someone couldn’t accept my obsession with the Golden Girls, I would not want to work for them anyway!

(Note: I do not actually have an obsession with the Golden Girls.)

 

[music2]

Well if someone couldn’t accept my obsession with the Golden Girls, I would not want to work for them anyway!

(Note: I do not actually have an obsession with the Golden Girls.)

No worries,i’ll hire you
Any friend of 80’s TV is a friend of mine…

 

[Jaypeeto4]

Despite it’s often racy and adult content,
I loved The Golden Girls. Have seen every episode several times
(thank you, Lifetime network), and all of those women were fantastic
character actresses. Dorothy was so stately and worldly-wise.
Blanche, well…Blanche was a southern belle with a penchant
for lots of “gentleman callers.” Rose? Good heavens, sweet, naive little Rose.
And Sophia? Better NOT mess with Sophia!!
I really miss being able to watch The Golden Girls. I am either not home or not awake
now when it comes on.

As for Facebook and worries about your employer,
make sure that ONLY your friends are able to read what is on your Wall.
And don’t post anything on your wall critical of your company, because 10 to 1,
it WILL get back to them.
God bless,
Jaypeeto4

 

[Trader]

Today’s lesson is "Say it–forget it, write it–regret it. The internet is as close to immortality as anything else on earth.

In my day the saying was, “God knows what you are doing.” and, “If you would not want it to appear on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper, maybe you should not do it.”

If what you post on Facebook is your Christian witness, you have to know that your witness has a cost. Look what it cost Jesus.