If you were interviewing for a job and they asked for your Facebook user name and password, what would you do?
This appears to be a new trend…and it’s causing quite a bit of controversy! I originally became aware of this when I read a blog post by Harrison Painter. Harrison has quite a few good points about this issue, including the fact that it’s actually against Facebook’s Statement of Rights and Responsibilities to give someone your personal login information.
My initial reaction was: “What’s the big deal? Potential employees often have to undergo things like credit checks and drug testing. It’s the same thing.” However, when I read more about this—and read comments from others—I changed my tune.
Comments I saw about this trend ranged from “I wouldn’t give out my password, but I might Friend them” to “Hell no!” Virtually no one thought this was a good idea. Some said they would let them see their page after they’d logged in themselves while others were adamant this was a huge invasion of privacy. One person even pointed out that if a potential employer knew this was against Facebook’s rules—and still asked it—what else might they ask you to do once you were hired?
Facebook itself has come out strongly against this practice—including potentially taking legal action against employers requesting this information. Aside from wanting to protect its users’ privacy, it also points out that potential employers could be seeing information such as ethnicity, religion, family status and other personal information that could expose the employer to potential legal liability.
Not to be left out, Congress is also jumping into the fray with both the U.S. Senate and House considering legislation to prohibit this practice.
If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you’ve seen that I’m very big on being authentic with online posting and that someone’s online “persona” should match their real world persona. However, it’s entirely a personal choice. Many people are entirely different online than in person. Some use social media—especially Twitter and Facebook—as a place where they can “vent” in a fairly anonymous way. They also post things that they wouldn’t actually say “in the real world.” Many post very much tongue in cheek and you’re never quite sure if they’re joking or serious!
If a potential employer were to view these posts, they might very well determine that someone wasn’t a good candidate—never realizing the posts were jokes, sarcasm or basically fiction—or at the very least, not taking the time to ask the candidate for an explanation. With so many potential candidates, employers are looking for easy ways to exclude people rather than to include them.
I realize that many employers check out someone’s online reputation, even before a first interview. But, posts on personal Facebook profiles aren’t part of the public domain where they can be read by anyone. While Facebook itself doesn’t guarantee privacy, there is still the expectation of privacy by users—especially from someone who isn’t a “Friend.”
I don’t think a potential employer should ask for this information…or even ask to see your Profile after you’ve logged in. At the very least, they should disclose that they may be asking for this information prior to the start of the interview process. Then, the candidate has the option as to whether or not to proceed.
This is a fairly controversial issue and one that will probably get bigger over time. I’ve love to get your thoughts on it. Please comment below!
It may be one more way to weed out potential employees, and from an employer point of view, it could sure give you some insight into the person that wants to come into your place of business, accept your money and benefits, and may possibly be privvy to important or confidential information.
BUT, I don’t think it’s appropriate to ask for someone’s password and login information to view their personal pages. As a potential employee, I may not have sufficient control over what others might post on my page or in my news feed, and I wouldn’t want that to prejudice an employer against me. I think personal privacy has to trump an employer’s interest in this case.
I found last year when I was looking for an assistant, that I just looked at what Facebook would show me (even though we weren’t friends, most allowed their last post and profile picture to be shown). I was shocked how inappropriate and “erotic” some profile pics were! Those girls, in mean applicants, especially the ones on stripper poles (yes, there were more than 1!) did not get a call back. Our lives are on the net and I believe you should only share what you’re comfortable with ANYONE seeing.
I think that so many people naively assume that what they post online won’t be looked at by a potential employer – or a potential business partner. My philosophy is to always follow the “grandmother rule” – if your grandmother would be shocked at a post – or a photo – then it shouldn’t be anywhere online that someone could see it.
Oh, an I agree, passwords/user names should NEVER be shared as I feel that is an invasion of privacy.
🙂
Nothing posted in social media is EVER private.
This is happening more and more — college recruiters seeking “friend” requests, employers asking for login information. While its helpful to see someone’s online persona and learn about their online reputation, we should as individuals be proactive and remove information that is un-viewable.
Proactive reputation management and personal branding is the key!
– Lida
(stepping off my soapbox now 🙂
Lida…you can always be on your soapbox! Anyone who doesn’t think their online reputation is important is fooling themselves. Whether it’s a potential job, a potential client or even a potential date, people are relying more and more on the “first impression” they get from searching social media sites for info about the person. As grandma would have said “Best to just keep your nose clean!”
It is amazing what people will say on Facebook. I personally know someone who had posted some statements on Facebook that when a potential employer went to Facebook to check this person out, they decided not to hire her because of what she had said about a previous employer. I do agree that a potential employer should never ask for login and password information.
Barbara – a perfect example, especially of someone “venting” where they shouldn’t have. It’s so very tempting to post things online because after all, it’s just to our friends! But, one never knows “who” they’re truly connected to, or more importantly, who “they” might be connected to. Even if someone did make a mistake and post something they shouldn’t have, I never understand why they don’t go back and delete it!