FB & Looking for a job

butterfly62682 · April 2012

Okay I want to know something here...

My company is currently taking applications for the person to take my spot when I leave. We have gotten quite a few. We have been looking at these applicants Facebook pages. 1) because we want to know what they look like and 2) because you can tell a lot about a person based on their profile picture and content on their FB page. (or at least this is how I feel).

So do you think that someone's FB page should factor into them receiving a job interview?

[Poll]

butterfly62682 · April 2012

I fully think that if you put something on FB that you wouldn't want the world to see then you should make your profile private and make sure to not have some crazy half dressed drunk profile picture. When you are competing in the corporate world all aspects of your life should be held together in a professional manner. IMO

I don't think it is right for a company to ask for you log in and password (read an article about this the other day). I don't even think it would be right to ask someone access to a private page. But if your page is public for all to see and you are applying for a job, I believe that company as a right to that information and judging whether or not your character is one that would suit the role you are to be hired into.

ShangriLaRose · April 2012

butterfly62682:
I fully think that if you put something on FB that you wouldn't want the world to see then you should make your profile private and make sure to not have some crazy half dressed drunk profile picture. When you are competing in the corporate world all aspects of your life should be held together in a professional manner. IMO
I don't think it is right for a company to ask for you log in and password (read an article about this the other day). I don't even think it would be right to ask someone access to a private page. But if your page is public for all to see and you are applying for a job, I believe that company as a right to that information and judging whether or not your character is one that would suit the role you are to be hired into.

Yes

CarlaAndJames · April 2012

Agreed. If we hire you, you'll be representing our company. I think it's fair for us to factor in how you conduct yourself online. If you aren't buttoned up enough to clean up your facebook, or at least make it private before an interview, why would I trust with you with handling my client's image?

Sunidaze · April 2012

My company is currently taking applications for the person to take my spot when I leave. We have gotten quite a few. We have been looking at these applicants Facebook pages. 1) because we want to know what they look like and 2) because you can tell a lot about a person based on their profile picture and content on their FB page. (or at least this is how I feel).

The bolded part is what I am having a really hard time with and could possibly set your company up for a discrimination suit.

Honestly, my own personal opinion is that FB should be left out of it. What do you do if someone has their profiles set to private?

justme04 · April 2012

If you set your page to private you shouldn't have to worry about it...right? I don't think it should be taken into consideration but my DH and I had a discussion over this exact subject last night. He recieved a job offer from a company that just fired it's CEO over a personal scandal. I told him he should edit his facebook content. He has a habbit of putting his beliefs and other views out there for all the world to see and gets into heated arguments with people over the topics he posts. I told him it would be a good idea to tone in down and maybe delete some of the racier back and forths.

He actually got really pissed and accused me of censurship. I get it I'm pasionate about what I believe to and I could have the same types of arguments. But the first thing I was told by my college advisors when we started forming my resume and putting together my portfolio was to go through my facebook and delete any drunk or racy pictures and edit my content.

butterfly62682 · April 2012

Sunidaze:
My company is currently taking applications for the person to take my spot when I leave. We have gotten quite a few. We have been looking at these applicants Facebook pages. 1) because we want to know what they look like and 2) because you can tell a lot about a person based on their profile picture and content on their FB page. (or at least this is how I feel).

The bolded part is what I am having a really hard time with and could possibly set your company up for a discrimination suit.

Honestly, my own personal opinion is that FB should be left out of it. What do you do if someone has their profiles set to private?

When I say this that we want to know what they look like I am not talking about race or creed but more about how they present themselves. It's just another way of forming an opinion on a person that you interview in person. You look at all aspects of that person. We are not discriminating based on age, sex, religion or any other reason nor would we as we a wide variety of people who work for this company.

If someone, page is set to private then of coarse there is nothing we can do. Which is my whole point to this post. If you are going to apply for a job then clean your FB up so you are not discriminating yourself.

CarlaAndJames · April 2012

justme04:

He actually got really pissed and accused me of censurship. I get it I'm pasionate about what I believe to and I could have the same types of arguments. But the first thing I was told by my college advisors when we started forming my resume and putting together my portfolio was to go through my facebook and delete any drunk or racy pictures and edit my content.

You're "free" to say whatever you want without the government putting you in jail, that doesn't mean your words have no consequences. A private company is also "free" to not hire you if you can't maintain a reasonable level of professionalism publicly.

Sunidaze · April 2012

butterfly62682:
Sunidaze:

My company is currently taking applications for the person to take my spot when I leave. We have gotten quite a few. We have been looking at these applicants Facebook pages. 1) because we want to know what they look like and 2) because you can tell a lot about a person based on their profile picture and content on their FB page. (or at least this is how I feel).

The bolded part is what I am having a really hard time with and could possibly set your company up for a discrimination suit.

Honestly, my own personal opinion is that FB should be left out of it. What do you do if someone has their profiles set to private?

When I say this that we want to know what they look like I am not talking about race or creed but more about how they present themselves. It's just another way of forming an opinion on a person that you interview in person. You look at all aspects of that person. We are not discriminating based on age, sex, religion or any other reason nor would we as we a wide variety of people who work for this company.

If someone, page is set to private then of coarse there is nothing we can do. Which is my whole point to this post. If you are going to apply for a job then clean your FB up so you are not discriminating yourself.

I am not just referring 'race or creed'...we're talking male/female (remember, you can't always tell by the name), age (people of all ages use facebook now), their size...any number of things. You may say you are only looking to see if a person looks professional or not...but is that being entirely truthful? Chances are whether you want to acknowledge of even that you may not be entirely aware on it, you are definitely going to form opinions based on a person's looks...not sure on whether they look 'professional'.

ETA: I felt the need to add that this could go both ways, depending on who is making the hiring decision. Some people are still stupid enough to hire people specifically for how they look (i.e. they're 'hot').

Syncronicity09 · April 2012

I just edited my FB for this exact reason, even though it is set to private. I will be looking for a new job when we move in a few months and I don't want them to have access to anything. Not that I post anything that should be a problem, but people are judgmental and I don't want to be judged for unrelated things, for instance if the manager is a mother who judges me based on how Ash is dressed, what I feed him, whatever.

I read this article awhile back, and in response I even changed my location so that if someone should find my private profile there is no indication that it does belong to me.

kimbo1216 · April 2012

"because we want to know what they look like"

Sunidaze:
The bolded part is what I am having a really hard time with and could possibly set your company up for a discrimination suit.

I agree with Suni. I would have voted yes, but I changed to SS due to your description.

I think there is nothing wrong with looking up their FB page. If they want to put stuff out there and not protect their privacy (i.e. making things public), that is their fault not yours. However, I don't like the idea of using to see what they look like. Even colleges have to get rid of any pics sent in with applications in order to avoid discrimination issues.

I get if you want to see how they portray themselves outside of an interview setting and see if they seem mature in what they allow the public to see. However you will see what they look like if/when they interview.

butterfly62682 · April 2012

Sunidaze:
butterfly62682:
Sunidaze:

My company is currently taking applications for the person to take my spot when I leave. We have gotten quite a few. We have been looking at these applicants Facebook pages. 1) because we want to know what they look like and 2) because you can tell a lot about a person based on their profile picture and content on their FB page. (or at least this is how I feel).

The bolded part is what I am having a really hard time with and could possibly set your company up for a discrimination suit.

Honestly, my own personal opinion is that FB should be left out of it. What do you do if someone has their profiles set to private?

When I say this that we want to know what they look like I am not talking about race or creed but more about how they present themselves. It's just another way of forming an opinion on a person that you interview in person. You look at all aspects of that person. We are not discriminating based on age, sex, religion or any other reason nor would we as we a wide variety of people who work for this company.

If someone, page is set to private then of coarse there is nothing we can do. Which is my whole point to this post. If you are going to apply for a job then clean your FB up so you are not discriminating yourself.

I am not just referring 'race or creed'...we're talking male/female (remember, you can't always tell by the name), age (people of all ages use facebook now), their size...any number of things. You may say you are only looking to see if a person looks professional or not...but is that being entirely truthful? Chances are whether you want to acknowledge of even that you may not be entirely aware on it, you are definitely going to form opinions based on a person's looks...not sure on whether they look 'professional'.

ETA: I felt the need to add that this could go both ways, depending on who is making the hiring decision. Some people are still stupid enough to hire people specifically for how they look (i.e. they're 'hot').

Everything you say here can/is also done when you bring someone in for an interview. Not saying it is right but if an opinion is formed either way, what's the difference on whether it is done on FB or in person?

kimbo1216 · April 2012

Syncronicity09:
I read this article

That article is ridiculous! I'm sorry, but I would not work for a company that required my personal password to see my view of my facebook. If I have my settings set to private, that's my business, not theirs. I think having it set to private already shows maturity in a candidate and that I can keep my personal life personal.

butterfly62682 · April 2012

kimbo1216:
"because we want to know what they look like"
Sunidaze:
The bolded part is what I am having a really hard time with and could possibly set your company up for a discrimination suit.

I agree with Suni. I would have voted yes, but I changed to SS due to your description.
I think there is nothing wrong with looking up their FB page. If they want to put stuff out there and not protect their privacy (i.e. making things public), that is their fault not yours. However, I don't like the idea of using to see what they look like. Even colleges have to get rid of any pics sent in with applications in order to avoid discrimination issues.
I get if you want to see how they portray themselves outside of an interview setting and see if they seem mature in what they allow the public to see. However you will see what they look like if/when they interview.

I explained in a previous post that we were wanting to see how they present themselves outside of a professional setting. My wording did not accurately portray my meaning. Of course everyone will and has a right to create their own opinions personally, as long as it does not spill over professionally.

But I fully believe that a company has a right to look at pictures and content on FB or any other form of social media to form their opinion of whether or not you are fit of the position you are applying for if you put it out there for the world to see.

I am not the one who will be doing the hiring, nor will I be giving the interviews. I was just wondering what the opinions were here on FB and job hunting.

butterfly62682 · April 2012

kimbo1216:
Syncronicity09:
I read this article
That article is ridiculous! I'm sorry, but I would not work for a company that required my personal password to see my view of my facebook. If I have my settings set to private, that's my business, not theirs. I think having it set to private already shows maturity in a candidate and that I can keep my personal life personal.

This article is another reason for this poll. I don't believe a company has a right to ask for this information either. Nor, do I feel they have the right to ask for a private page to be made public so it can be viewed. However, if you allow your page to be public for everyone to see, then it's fair game.

vigurl · April 2012

I look at FB profiles when hiring
Yes I make judgements based on the profile
I do not belive that an employer should ask for a pswd or for a page to be made public
What you put on the internet is there for all to see (including potential employers)

Sunidaze · April 2012

butterfly62682:
Sunidaze:
butterfly62682:
Sunidaze:

My company is currently taking applications for the person to take my spot when I leave. We have gotten quite a few. We have been looking at these applicants Facebook pages. 1) because we want to know what they look like and 2) because you can tell a lot about a person based on their profile picture and content on their FB page. (or at least this is how I feel).

The bolded part is what I am having a really hard time with and could possibly set your company up for a discrimination suit.

Honestly, my own personal opinion is that FB should be left out of it. What do you do if someone has their profiles set to private?

When I say this that we want to know what they look like I am not talking about race or creed but more about how they present themselves. It's just another way of forming an opinion on a person that you interview in person. You look at all aspects of that person. We are not discriminating based on age, sex, religion or any other reason nor would we as we a wide variety of people who work for this company.

If someone, page is set to private then of coarse there is nothing we can do. Which is my whole point to this post. If you are going to apply for a job then clean your FB up so you are not discriminating yourself.

I am not just referring 'race or creed'...we're talking male/female (remember, you can't always tell by the name), age (people of all ages use facebook now), their size...any number of things. You may say you are only looking to see if a person looks professional or not...but is that being entirely truthful? Chances are whether you want to acknowledge of even that you may not be entirely aware on it, you are definitely going to form opinions based on a person's looks...not sure on whether they look 'professional'.

ETA: I felt the need to add that this could go both ways, depending on who is making the hiring decision. Some people are still stupid enough to hire people specifically for how they look (i.e. they're 'hot').

Everything you say here can/is also done when you bring someone in for an interview. Not saying it is right but if an opinion is formed either way, what's the difference on whether it is done on FB or in person?

Because you're eliminating them from the process without even granting them an interview. They don't even get that chance to get in front of someone and at least try to prove (or disprove) themselves.

Syncronicity09 · April 2012

butterfly62682:
I explained in a previous post that we were wanting to see how they present themselves outside of a professional setting. My wording did not accurately portray my meaning. Of course everyone will and has a right to create their own opinions personally, as long as it does not spill over professionally.
But I fully believe that a company has a right to look at pictures and content on FB or any other form of social media to form their opinion of whether or not you are fit of the position you are applying for if you put it out there for the world to see.
I am not the one who will be doing the hiring, nor will I be giving the interviews. I was just wondering what the opinions were here on FB and job hunting.

Maybe, but how sure can you be that a persons personal opinions and views wont effect their choice to hire.

For instance if the person is a parent that they see that you chose to do BLW, and maybe disagree with it, so decide you are irresponsible.

Or that someone is a gamer, and the person has a view of gamers as lazy.

People are judgmental, and many people have horrible boundaries between their opinions and their assessment of others. I wouldn't want my being considered for a job to rely on whether or not the people make the choice can appropriately evaluate my FB page.

Sunidaze · April 2012

kimbo1216:

Syncronicity09:
I read this article

That article is ridiculous! I'm sorry, but I would not work for a company that required my personal password to see my view of my facebook. If I have my settings set to private, that's my business, not theirs. I think having it set to private already shows maturity in a candidate and that I can keep my personal life personal.

Oh yeah...I posted this a while ago. I think I read something the other day where in one state someone is trying to make it illegal to do such a thing.

DaisyJanie · April 2012

I'm totally okay with checking someone's FB after you've brought them in for an interview. Like others, I'm concerned about using it to find out what someone looks like. Even if you say you're not concerned about their race or anything, biases can sneak in regardless. You could see someone's page where they're all about going to NASCAR races and tractor pulls, and from then on you'll see them as the redneck candidate. (Sorry, tractor pull-attendees. Just illustrating common non-racial biases) Once you've given them a chance to present themselves in person, I think it's fine to check FB to get additional information, if they choose to make it public.

hepcats · April 2012

I'm fairly certain it's against the law to use FB or any other social medium to make hiring decisions, which means preventing them from getting an interview as well. We just discussed this as a company and how we're not permitted to look them up.

SpceCadet · April 2012

I have my FB set to private. If/when I return to the workforce, I would actually consider deleting my whole account. I have nothing racy or crazy up there, I just believe that my private life should stay private and if that's the method I need to use than so be it. Extreme? Sure.

I agree that companies should desire to hire employees who are able to portray themselves professionally in and out of the office. I believe that's why the 90 day trial clause is important (I forget what the real wording usually is).

If someone can't handle their personal life in a work-worthy manner, there's also a good chance they won't "fit" into a professional environment and not be able to handle the job, giving the employer cause for termination.

butterfly62682 · April 2012

Syncronicity09:
Maybe, but how sure can you be that a persons personal opinions and views wont effect their choice to hire.
For instance if the person is a parent that they see that you chose to do BLW, and maybe disagree with it, so decide you are irresponsible.
Or that someone is a gamer, and the person has a view of gamers as lazy.
People are judgmental, and many people have horrible boundaries between their opinions and their assessment of others. I wouldn't want my being considered for a job to rely on whether or not the people make the choice can appropriately evaluate my FB page.

This is why I believe a persons page should be set to completely private. Period. If you don't want to be judged then don't put it out there to be seen or make your profile private. Discrimination happens everyday regardless if it is legal or not.

If I were the one to make these decisions half wouldn't get an interview because they don't know how to correctly format a resume.

Syncronicity09 · April 2012

butterfly62682:
This is why I believe a persons page should be set to completely private. Period. If you don't want to be judged then don't put it out there to be seen or make your profile private. Discrimination happens everyday regardless if it is legal or not.
If I were the one to make these decisions half wouldn't get an interview because they don't know how to correctly format a resume.

In my opinion that is a very valid reason not to interview someone. When I was in charge of hiring that was my first screening process.

Personally my FB is set to private. But, unfortunately many people are oblivious to the dangers of the internet (not just in a job interview sense), or are technologically challenged and have no idea that they should do this, or even how.

Sunidaze · April 2012

You know, if your company was really concerned with making sure they aren't in violation of anything in terms of hiring, they should consult an attorney. My company works very closely with a large law firm and we have a specific labor law attorney that we work with on a very regular basis to make sure we are doing what we need to be doing (and conversely, not doing anything that could get us into trouble).

And if resumes have glaring errors...that right there is what should be eliminating a person.

We don't use FB to weed out potential candidates.

butterfly62682 · April 2012

Sunidaze:
You know, if your company was really concerned with making sure they aren't in violation of anything in terms of hiring, they should consult an attorney. My company works very closely with a large law firm and we have a specific labor law attorney that we work with on a very regular basis to make sure we are doing what we need to be doing (and conversely, not doing anything that could get us into trouble).

And if resumes have glaring errors...that right there is what should be eliminating a person.

We don't use FB to weed out potential candidates.

We haven't either. I just stated we were looking at their profiles. And then I asked if you all thought that it should factor into whether or not a person should receive an interview or the job based on how they conduct themselves on FB.

JuneBugsMommy · April 2012

butterfly62682:
I fully think that if you put something on FB that you wouldn't want the world to see then you should make your profile private and make sure to not have some crazy half dressed drunk profile picture. When you are competing in the corporate world all aspects of your life should be held together in a professional manner. IMO
I don't think it is right for a company to ask for you log in and password (read an article about this the other day). I don't even think it would be right to ask someone access to a private page. But if your page is public for all to see and you are applying for a job, I believe that company as a right to that information and judging whether or not your character is one that would suit the role you are to be hired into.

Well said and I totally agree!

hepcats · April 2012

butterfly62682:
But if your page is public for all to see and you are applying for a job, I believe that company as a right to that information and judging whether or not your character is one that would suit the role you are to be hired into.

I disagree with this statement actually. When it comes to my personal life, whether it's a public page or private profile, they have no rights to using that information to determine my eligibility for employment.

If we're not permitted to discriminate against people because they're gay (public or otherwise), then we're not permitted to discriminate against people because they choose to get wasted every weekend. Additionally, if someone will obviously need an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job (i.e. they're blind), we can't ask them "Hey since you're blind, will such and such be a problem for you?" We can only ask them if they can perform the job with or without reasonable accommodation and find out what that accommodation is.

What people choose to do in their private life (typically) has zero impact on the job and cannot be considered when interviewing or hiring.

Brooklyn2577 · April 2012

I didn't vote or read any of the responses.

I was laid off in January. I have changed my Twitter and FB pages to my maiden name. I'm not ashamed of anything on my pages, but I don't want to be hunted down either.

Brooklyn2577 · April 2012

hepcats:

butterfly62682:
But if your page is public for all to see and you are applying for a job, I believe that company as a right to that information and judging whether or not your character is one that would suit the role you are to be hired into.

I disagree with this statement actually. When it comes to my personal life, whether it's a public page or private profile, they have no rights to using that information to determine my eligibility for employment.

If we're not permitted to discriminate against people because they're gay (public or otherwise), then we're not permitted to discriminate against people because they choose to get wasted every weekend. Additionally, if someone will obviously need an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job (i.e. they're blind), we can't ask them "Hey since you're blind, will such and such be a problem for you?" We can only ask them if they can perform the job with or without reasonable accommodation and find out what that accommodation is.

What people choose to do in their private life (typically) has zero impact on the job and cannot be considered when interviewing or hiring.

::thumbs up:: agree.

Brooklyn2577 · April 2012

hepcats:

butterfly62682:
But if your page is public for all to see and you are applying for a job, I believe that company as a right to that information and judging whether or not your character is one that would suit the role you are to be hired into.

I disagree with this statement actually. When it comes to my personal life, whether it's a public page or private profile, they have no rights to using that information to determine my eligibility for employment.

If we're not permitted to discriminate against people because they're gay (public or otherwise), then we're not permitted to discriminate against people because they choose to get wasted every weekend. Additionally, if someone will obviously need an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job (i.e. they're blind), we can't ask them "Hey since you're blind, will such and such be a problem for you?" We can only ask them if they can perform the job with or without reasonable accommodation and find out what that accommodation is.

What people choose to do in their private life (typically) has zero impact on the job and cannot be considered when interviewing or hiring.

::thumbs up:: agree.

runnergrl6675 · April 2012

Sunidaze:

My company is currently taking applications for the person to take my spot when I leave. We have gotten quite a few. We have been looking at these applicants Facebook pages. 1) because we want to know what they look like and 2) because you can tell a lot about a person based on their profile picture and content on their FB page. (or at least this is how I feel).

The bolded part is what I am having a really hard time with and could possibly set your company up for a discrimination suit.

Honestly, my own personal opinion is that FB should be left out of it. What do you do if someone has their profiles set to private?

I'm having a hard time with this one, too. No matter what you are still judging them on their appearance. This has discrimination written all over it whether it's intentional or not. This scares me that this is what the world of job hunting is coming to or has already arrived to.

butterfly62682 · April 2012

hepcats:

butterfly62682:
But if your page is public for all to see and you are applying for a job, I believe that company as a right to that information and judging whether or not your character is one that would suit the role you are to be hired into.

I disagree with this statement actually. When it comes to my personal life, whether it's a public page or private profile, they have no rights to using that information to determine my eligibility for employment.

If we're not permitted to discriminate against people because they're gay (public or otherwise), then we're not permitted to discriminate against people because they choose to get wasted every weekend. Additionally, if someone will obviously need an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job (i.e. they're blind), we can't ask them "Hey since you're blind, will such and such be a problem for you?" We can only ask them if they can perform the job with or without reasonable accommodation and find out what that accommodation is.

What people choose to do in their private life (typically) has zero impact on the job and cannot be considered when interviewing or hiring.

You and I will have to agree to disagree because I feel differently. (nicely of coarse) Stick out tongue

hepcats · April 2012

butterfly62682:
You and I will have to agree to disagree because I feel differently. (nicely of coarse)

Okely dokely. I just think an employer is opening themselves up for a discrimination claim that's unnecessary.

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