Nowadays many of us are trying to find jobs, and many of you guys might be going to interviews. Has anyone asked you or your permission to look at your facebook pictures?
One of my friend who had an job interview this weekend told me that during the interview, they asked if they were allow to see his pictures on facebook? Immediately my friend told them that he didn't want to be hired by a company that judges him. Of course his appearance and lifestyle is a lot different during the weekends...at a party with girls.
When I heard this story, I thought about the rumor how employers are paying facebook to see private profiles and pictures. Employers are doing this to see what their new or existing employees do in their time away from work to make hiring or promoting decision. I have heard this rumor number of times, and that is why I tend to select pictures that only seems appropriate. I don't think I would ever post something ridiculous or outrageous stuffs. Therefore, if the company was to asked if they could see my profile, I would have said yes. This is because I have nothing to hide, and it might be good for them to see my fun and outgoing side.
This shows how much online social networking sites are playing a big role on our lives. It is even effecting on our social but work life as well. If employers are able to view private profiles, do you think it is unfair? Unethical? Simply wrong? -- I do think so. People set their profile to private for a clear reason; they don't want strangers looking at their lives and judging them. That is why some people don't accept people ("friends request") when they don't know that person. I feel like it is a bit creepy when a stranger, someone I completely have no connection with, adds me on facebook.
Few years ago, when facebook was not so popular, companies would not have asked such question during the interview and using facebook (or other social networking sites) to decide whom they hire.
One of my friend who got a job in Japan recently told me that she had to close her facebook for awhile. The reason behind this was someone in the company had looked her up on facebook. But apparently her facebook profile was not set to private, and therefore, people at her work place were able to look at the pictures.. in other words, the wild side of her. In America, it is normal for college students to become out of control sometimes... I mean common, we are in COLLEGE!
But it seems like most of the people in Japan thought it was a bit too much. So they told her to take off the pictures because it was not good for the company's reputation. She was angry and confused but she had to follow the rules, otherwise, she would have been fired or she may have given her boss a bad impression.
All these stories I hear makes me wonder, is it really necessary for them to check your private profile and decisions/judgments based on pictures? I feel like pictures and facebook accounts are my private life. But again, some might think differently. What do you guys think? Share your thoughts :-)
Also I found an interesting article about this topic, "Employers Look at Facebook, Too" -CBS, take a look because the article makes interesting points--click here
You can also take a look at a short video clip. "Sharyn Alfonsi spoke to Tim DeMello, CEO of Ziggs, an online search platform for professionals" --click here
Enjoy!
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