Facebook and Your Job Search - Why The Two Don't Mix
Facebook and Your Job Search - Why The Two Don't Mix
Many companies are using social networking, particularly Facebook, as a recruiting tool. Whether you are looking for a job or not, social networking sites give companies the ability to seek you out. Both employers and potential employees benefit. It seems everyone wins but not exactly.
Recently, many stories have begun to surface that show that social networking sites like Facebook have a down side for candidates. I recently spoke to a human resources executive who told me that their firm does extensive background checks on each of their potential employees. They have even found a way to get access to the Facebook page of a candidate in order to learn more about the candidate’s personality and social life. When they came across a picture of this candidate standing shirtless at a local bar, looking visibly intoxicated, they decided to pull the offer letter.
In another case the National Labor Relations Board filed a lawsuit in the state of Connecticut. The suit alleges that American Medical Response illegally fired Dawnmarie Souza from her job as an emergency medical worker after she made negative comments about her boss on her Facebook page. The suit seeks to prove that her comments are protected speech under labor laws.
Some candidates have begun to get a little paranoid. I recently spoke with a candidate about a potential job opportunity. I asked if I could email her some information. She told me that she does not have a private email nor does she have a Facebook page for fear that her firm is monitoring her. She explained to me that in the financial services business, companies have begun to watch their employee’s electronic correspondence. If for some reason they decide to fire you, they can look back over your emails or even your Facebook page and use that material against you.
In another case, I recently had a conversation with a recruiter who told me he had a candidate who was interviewing with a prominent firm. This candidate was interviewing with several companies, and then posting the status of his interviews on his Facebook page. The recruiter was deeply concerned about this. He instructed the candidate to take the updates down immediately. He felt that if a company found out that he was bragging about his interviews, the hiring manager might look upon it negatively.
Social networking has definitely given employers an upper hand. The question is: will candidates and employees change their social networking habits based on this fact?
WomensJobList is the most visited job board for women professionals. Since 1999, our services have been a key diversity-recruiting tool for major Fortune 500 corporations including GE, Microsoft, RJ Reynolds, The Federal Reserve and many more.
Post your jobs now and become a WomensJobList certified diversity employer.
Meghan Kirk
Marketing Manager
[email protected]
888-984-3547
