Facebook etc warning when applying for a job

bleepy

I think it would be easier if you like the look of someone just to invite them in for an interview, make your own decision and then check and double check references.

SandC

The default on facebook is set to private so you don't even have to do it yourself.

Maybeanotherday

looby-loo wrote: »

My daughter has her setting at private and there is no picture, however, there is just one other person with the same quite unusual name. Unfortunately this person is a similar age to my daughter and she has a very inappropriate picture.

My daughter is just finishing uni and looking for jobs. We are both worried that anyone running her name through these sites will get mixed up but there isn't much she can do is there?

Maybe you should let her picture be seen again and pop a nice normal picture on so they know its her?

nearlyrich

I had a word with a young relative recently about the inappropriate language on his FB page, his mum would have a fit if she saw it...fortunately he saw sense when I explained that his future potential employers might not think it's funny and it could mean losing a great opportunity.

Sazzyukrafc

My previous employers said they looked at people's Facebook profiles. I don't really see the problem to be honnest, if you've got nothing to hide then no problem

My profile can only be seen by friends and my picture is whatever I choose, currently from my work Christmas party with a glass of champagne

tyllwyd

looby-loo wrote: »

My daughter has her setting at private and there is no picture, however, there is just one other person with the same quite unusual name. Unfortunately this person is a similar age to my daughter and she has a very inappropriate picture.

My daughter is just finishing uni and looking for jobs. We are both worried that anyone running her name through these sites will get mixed up but there isn't much she can do is there?

How about facing it head on - make sure everything on her own facebook entry is suitable for an employer to see, and include her facebook name on her cv.

GrammarGirl

I think it's ridiculous that employers are judging people by a thumbnail picture on Facebook!

For starters, no one can ever be sure that the Facebook persona they're looking at actually is the person who's applied for the job. I am pretty sure there are millions of people in the world with the same name as me - so how would they know who's who? They don't. And they shouldn't guess.

Also, I have lots of pictures on Facebook, many involving me looking worse for wear after a great night out. So what? Does that mean I'll roll into work drunk? No. What I do in my private life has no bearing on my job because I wouldn't let it. The interview stage is when an employer should be making judgements on a person - when they've met them and spoken to them. Facebook shouldn't really come into it, in my opinion.

And telling people the answer to this problem is to not have a Facebook page is ridiculous!

JoeBreakdown

GrammarGirl wrote: »

I think it's ridiculous that employers are judging people by a thumbnail picture on Facebook!

For starters, no one can ever be sure that the Facebook persona they're looking at actually is the person who's applied for the job. I am pretty sure there are millions of people in the world with the same name as me - so how would they know who's who? They don't. And they shouldn't guess.

Also, I have lots of pictures on Facebook, many involving me looking worse for wear after a great night out. So what? Does that mean I'll roll into work drunk? No. What I do in my private life has no bearing on my job because I wouldn't let it. The interview stage is when an employer should be making judgements on a person - when they've met them and spoken to them. Facebook shouldn't really come into it, in my opinion.

And telling people the answer to this problem is to not have a Facebook page is ridiculous!

The company I work for now sacked a member of staf for their Facebook content. They set up a group which advertsied where he worked. He was sacked for it and I was involved in a disciplinary (but cleared) for being a member of the group. Ridiculous! I don't even use my birth name on Facebook. I am a semi pro musician, so I use my stage name everywhere (like on here).

So if anybody wants to find me on Facebook, they are welcome to!

Employers do check to see if their employees are representing their company in a way that is appropriate. Slagging off your employers, giving away 'trade secrets' and advertising or suggesting the sexuality of a member of staff in a demeaning way can get you in trouble! This sadly all happened in my office.

Bah!

GrammarGirl

JoeBreakdown wrote: »

The company I work for now sacked a member of staf for their Facebook content. They set up a group which advertsied where he worked. He was sacked for it and I was involved in a disciplinary (but cleared) for being a member of the group. Ridiculous! I don't even use my birth name on Facebook. I am a semi pro musician, so I use my stage name everywhere (like on here).

So if anybody wants to find me on Facebook, they are welcome to!

Employers do check to see if their employees are representing their company in a way that is appropriate. Slagging off your employers, giving away 'trade secrets' and advertising or suggesting the sexuality of a member of staff in a demeaning way can get you in trouble! This sadly all happened in my office.

Bah!

Well yes, that I can understand. That's letting your personal life interfere with your job, which I said I would never let happen. A bit of common sense should be enough when it comes to Facebook. Social networking sites are open to hackers so anything you write could be exposed to the world, even if you thought you were safe. Facebook and my job are totally separate entities and I would never mix the two.

vixarooni

I wouldnt give a flying hoots if a current of future boss looked at my facebook account, im hardly a drug dealing, pimping, showing my boobs off kinda girl and i think if i was i wouldnt be going for jobs where my employer might check me out on facebook.