Last week in ADPR 4300 we discussed the new trend for potential employers to “really see what kind of person you are” through Facebook. Creeping has been taken to a new level! Potential employers are no longer simply accessing your public Facebook profile, but are now asking for your username and password to gain greater insight as to what type of person you are. This means that they can see all your albums, tagged pictures and videos, inbox conversations, hidden statuses, etc.
Okay, to me this is crazy! Facebook is a personal page that allows users to express themselves and connect with friends, brands, places, etc. Facebook users can decide how strict they wish their profile settings to be. Not all people keep their profiles private because they are hiding things, maybe they are just concerned about their security. I, for example, keep my profile privateĀ even though I have nothing bad on there. Yes, there are pictures of me and my friends out at a bar playing pool. So what, I’m 22 and I go out. I am not ashamed of it and would tell any potential employer in an interview that I go out. I do not think the answer to getting to know a potential employee is to access their personal profiles. Why not just come to my house, go through my mail, garbage, and my underwear drawer while you are at it!
If potential employers want to get to know you, why don’t they try the old fashion way of face-to-face encounters? I would much rather have several in person conversations than feel like my potential place of work does not trust me and must access personal information to believe I am who I say I am. I am not quite sure I understand how Facebook will tell you exactly what type of worker I am. I use Facebook to plan events with friends, connect with old classmates, and post pictures of my friends and I. I do not have much information on Facebook that would help a company see my work ethic. In fact, I do not think many people’s Facebook accounts are used to talk about work. You care about my interests? I like Glee…does that help you? You want to know what music I listen to…country. Helpful? You want to go through my inbox? I get invited to a ton of 21st birthday parties and Marquette sponsored events. Wow, now you know so much about me. Seriously.
If you are interested in learning more, this article gives some tips on how to protect yourself from having to give your password to employers. Click here to see the article.