Recruiters screening candidates via social networking sites

MajorMaccas · 18 Sep 2008 at 13:55

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Written references could become old hat for hiring managers with one in five saying they use social networking sites to research job candidates -- and a third of them dismissing the candidate after what they discover.

A survey by online job site CareerBuilder.com of 3,169 hiring managers found 22 percent of them screened potential staff via social networking profiles, up from 11 percent in 2006.

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I agree with parts of it like drink/drug use, but having an unprofessional screen name? Just what the hell has that got to do with an employer what the candidate calls himself in his free time? Soon we won't be allowed to have any fun out of work either, and no one will get jobs because they posted pictures of themselves having a good time on facebook.

caff · 18 Sep 2008 at 13:58

It's simple really - don't upload stuff or use these sites if you're that bothered by it.

Streeteh · 18 Sep 2008 at 13:58

The problem with that for me is i never actually update my facebook stuff. I just created a profile and then when people tag me in a picture it shows on my account. Obviously being a student the most likely situation where a friend will take a photo of me is becoming/whilst drunk. That's not exactly going to paint a pretty or even accurate picture of me really is it. Worst case scenario, i'll just delete my profile, but it is a very flawed idea imo.

CaptainComedy · 18 Sep 2008 at 13:58

this has been posted before (not to rain on the post) but Im sure others havent read the old thread.

since when did you mix "social" and "professional" together

einstein wasnt the most socially attractive person but I wouldnt turn him away from a science project

caff · 18 Sep 2008 at 13:59

Streeteh said:
The problem with that for me is i never actually update my facebook stuff. I just created a profile and then when people tag me in a picture it shows on my account. Obviously being a student the most likely situation where a friend will take a photo of me is becoming/whilst drunk. That's not exactly going to paint a pretty or even accurate picture of me really is it. Worst case scenario, i'll just delete my profile, but it is a very flawed idea imo.

You can set your privacy options to hide most things on facebook. But as said above, if you're that bothered, just delete your account.

Abraham · 18 Sep 2008 at 14:00

just restrict what people who aren't your friends can view if you're worried about it

Lowe · 18 Sep 2008 at 14:00

Easily sorted - just make your profiles only available to your 'friends'. That way you can't be checked.

Lowe · 18 Sep 2008 at 14:01

Great minds huh?

Le_Petit_Lapin · 18 Sep 2008 at 14:02

I suppose I might care, if I actually had a Bebo/MySpace/Facebook account.

semi-pro waster · 18 Sep 2008 at 14:24

caff said:
It's simple really - don't upload stuff or use these sites if you're that bothered by it.

I don't use them but what about other people who might upload pictures or stories about me?

This sort of problem is quite a modern phenomena, I could have chosen to sacrifice kittens, dress in womens clothing and front the "Moon is made of cheese" party in years previous yet unless I made a big fuss about it any potential employers would never have had the slightest clue. The problem as I see it is a diminishment of a private life, social networking sites were originally intended as a means for people to communicate amongst friends but this purpose is subverted when employers use them to snoop on employees.

Employers should take some responsibility for not involving themselves in employees private lives where it doesn't concern them. Employees should take some responsibility for not publishing details that they would not want spread since it is a recorded medium. Both sides can be said to have some level of fault but I'd lay more of the blame at the door of employers for actively looking out information regarding what employees do in their private lives - unless my private life impacts on my ability to do my job then it really shouldn't be the business of my employer.

Solari · 18 Sep 2008 at 14:26

I make a point of having a very small online "footprint" for this very reason

I'm on LinkedIn but that's about it. I value my privacy and don't want my separate groups of friends mixing, either

Ben M · 18 Sep 2008 at 14:28

semi-pro waster said:
I don't use them but what about other people who might upload pictures or stories about me?

This sort of problem is quite a modern phenomena, I could have chosen to sacrifice kittens, dress in womens clothing and front the "Moon is made of cheese" party in years previous yet unless I made a big fuss about it any potential employers would never have had the slightest clue. The problem as I see it is a diminishment of a private life, social networking sites were originally intended as a means for people to communicate amongst friends but this purpose is subverted when employers use them to snoop on employees.

Employers should take some responsibility for not involving themselves in employees private lives where it doesn't concern them. Employees should take some responsibility for not publishing details that they would not want spread since it is a recorded medium. Both sides can be said to have some level of fault but I'd lay more of the blame at the door of employers for actively looking out information regarding what employees do in their private lives - unless my private life impacts on my ability to do my job then it really shouldn't be the business of my employer.

My thoughts precisely. You put it a little better than I could have, mind

Raymond Lin · 18 Sep 2008 at 14:29

They mentioned this a year ago when someone frmo Oxford got disciplined from work because he has some photos of his graduation pics where he was drinking on there.

Just set your profile to private and only friends of yours can see it, not even same network can. That's what I do, but then one of the partners at work added me on facebook eariler this week !

Raymond Lin · 18 Sep 2008 at 14:30

semi-pro waster said:
I don't use them but what about other people who might upload pictures or stories about me?

This sort of problem is quite a modern phenomena, I could have chosen to sacrifice kittens, dress in womens clothing and front the "Moon is made of cheese" party in years previous yet unless I made a big fuss about it any potential employers would never have had the slightest clue. The problem as I see it is a diminishment of a private life, social networking sites were originally intended as a means for people to communicate amongst friends but this purpose is subverted when employers use them to snoop on employees.

Employers should take some responsibility for not involving themselves in employees private lives where it doesn't concern them. Employees should take some responsibility for not publishing details that they would not want spread since it is a recorded medium. Both sides can be said to have some level of fault but I'd lay more of the blame at the door of employers for actively looking out information regarding what employees do in their private lives - unless my private life impacts on my ability to do my job then it really shouldn't be the business of my employer.

You don't need to talk like a lawyer outside the office you know

That's a compliment btw, good post.

Ukadder · 18 Sep 2008 at 14:59

Raymond Lin said:
... but then one of the partners at work added me on facebook eariler this week !

Create a very limited profile that only includes things you'd be happy for them to see and limit them to that, job done.