Facebook profile request during job interviews 10

[ports394]

So I searched facebook and saw an old 2010 discussion about this. Nothing recently.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/storie...ME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-03-20-03-22-06

Does anyone else think this is a bad practice? I keep my facebook locked down for privacy, and the most I say about work is "Had a long day at work today" or "Worked 12 hours today".

I was going over the ASME Ethics for MechE's and they really say nothing about being a decent person, not posting stupid links on FB, etc etc....As long as you put the public good first, as an engineer and promote the profession in a positive way.

 

[casseopeia]

I heard the news reports today that people are reporting that potential employers are requesting Facebook accounts and that the HR person is asking to be friended. I would not have believed these stories until my recent job search that has seemed far more invasive into my privacy than ever before.

There are some legitimate uses for Facebook and your job if you are a model or actor. A lot of modeling agencies ask for FB or other social network instead of a portfolio. For that it makes sense. And it should be voluntary, but that isn't how things work. There is tremendous pressure to supply everything they ask for for fear of getting booted into the circular file.

"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge." Ivana Trump

 

[Comcokid]

According to some younger people I know (non-engineers) It doesn't stop at Facebook either, they want to look into your Twitter, Linkedin, and any other social network sites you have signed-up with. If you claim to not have a profile on the popular sites, then that may automatically get your resume dumped. And, if you refuse to give them your sign-on info, they may offer you a PC to use, but it may have key-logging software installed.

George Orwell's 'Big Brother' from his book 1984 is here! It takes the form of scores of HR 'Catberts'.

Why do companies want to only hire employees with unquestionable ethics, when the companies operate without any?

 

[SteelPE]

So what happens if you don't have a Facebook account? Do you end up in the circular file too?

I don't have one because I didn't want anyone invading my privacy (and because I don't have any friends hahaha).... and I am actually pretty pissed that I caved into the linkedin website. At least that is not as bad.

 

[ports394]

Knowing that I might be in the resume grind too... I will either delete all of my social media, or simply refuse access to it.

I'm going to cite my professional ethics, and the body of work I completed as an engineer. Beyond that, I'm not letting HR inspect my car, my wallet, the lint in my pocket, my facebook, the locked box under my bed.

Asking me to give up my personal passwords and reveal my personal life is ethically questionable to me. Because it's simply invasive, and offers no greater good. It does not serve the public to know what I do on FB... Not to mention...without paying me, if they're already going to work me into a corner, what will happen once I work there.

 

[IRstuff]

The OP must be a shill, because Yahoo's front page had this:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/job-seekers-getting-asked-facebook-passwords-071251682.html

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[beej67]

Tell them it's a violation of Facebook's Terms of Service. Problem solved.

Hydrology, Drainage Analysis, Flood Studies, and Complex Stormwater Litigation for Atlanta and the South East -

http://www.campbellcivil.com

 

[IRstuff]

Then they'll just ask you to friend them, their problem solved.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[casseopeia]

Friend them, then later unfriend them.
Does anyone, even a worthless HR weenie have time to check if they have been dropped as a friend?

"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge." Ivana Trump

 

[MacGyverS2000]

It's not about remaining as a friend... they want you to friend them so they can look at what you post. they'll poke aorund for 5 minutes or so, then they're done. De-friending them down the road is pointless, they got what they came for.

A more appropriate tactic would be to add them as a friend, but block them from seeing anything. They'll see your account exists, but see nothing else, not even pics.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[jmw]

"Block them from seeing anything"
(that can be done?)
And what message does that send the HR weanies? That you are pulling their chain?
Possibly better to deny having a facebook account or state that it is personal not business?

And how come HR can view Facebook etc on company computers and in company time?
Sorry, silly question.
I resent Facebook.
I did get an account but I really don't like the way so many sites now automatically pick up my facebook log in and want to log me in via facebook and then report my activity to all the world. I don't want to share anything via facebook. I can't even remember why I signed in the first place.
I don't use it for anything.
Linked in is another matter. It seems that in the groups I have joined my posts attract some attention and I have received some useful enquiries as a result.
But I can't see any use for Facebook.
Ironic how so many people complain about a Big Brother Society with Government knowing everything about us and then they all sign up of Facebook and volunteer all sorts of additional details.
What a gift to anyone wanting to indulge in a little identity theft.




JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[SteelPE]

jmw

Interesting that you should bring up the point about identity theft because I read an article last week saying that scammers and identity thieves are now turning to linked-in to steal your information as well. So beware.

 

[Latexman]

Some companies and government agencies are asking interviewees for their FB username and password! They want to see everything!

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[peppinu]

I fully agree with JMW. FB is nonsense and a shear waste of time. I still cannot understand how certain people hang their dirty linen in there
I was always under the impression that logins and passwords are private and non transferable; why would you need a password if everybody knows it. It would be unethical to even ask.
I do not even have a photo in thier and the only freinds are my kids a few relatives, 12 in all.

 

[MadMango]

In our realm of work, I do not think an employer would ever ask for FB/Twitter log-in information. If you were applying as CEO of a Fortune 500 company or running for political office I could understand the request, to a degree. You can always say NO and find another interview. I am one of those people with the attitude that I do nothing wrong, and do not care if people dig for dirty laundry. This does not mean that I like seeing my privacy eroded.

No one here has ever snooped for a candidate on Google, LinkedIn or FB? If you put your life in public media, expect the public to see it. If you find someone that is too stupid to vet their own public postings, do you really want them working with you?

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."


Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[TheTick]

In an ideal response, I would like to tell the HR department that I am disappointed that they feel the need to resort to such juvenile means of vetting job candidates. Really? Check my FB profile? What next? Do you want to see who signed my high school yearbook? (or ***gasp*** who didn't???)

 

[SomptingGuy]

My employer has recently stated that it's doing Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) on its employees. I've only been here for 22 years (half my life, sadly), so surely they'd know enough about me already.

- Steve

 

[Latexman]

http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/03/20/1945404/job-seekers-getting-asked-for.html

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[MacGyverS2000]

I'm not suggesting giving it up (I would walk out of an interview if they demanded it), just providing interim solutions if people really want the job but feel forced to give it up.

j, you can block pretty much everything if you so desire, and on a person by person basis. Once they look at your profile, they'll see the FB layout, your main pic, and something to the effect of "This user has chosen to hide this info unless you know them" for everything they could select. It's effective when you don't want certain family members from reading particular posts.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[Latexman]

If one has been out of work for a long while, the savings account is about empty, and the spouse and kids are looking . . . thin? Desperate times may require desperate actions. I could not fault one for doing this. After all, the password can be changed immediately after. An abuse of power? Definately.

Good luck,
Latexman