March 23

New Job Interview Basics: Resume, References…Facebook Password??

There’s an ugly job search trend in town…employers are asking job seekers for their Facebook passwords.

Is your Facebook password safe in the job interview?

Picture this: your interviewer turns to her computer, opens up your Facebook page, and says, “What’s your password?  I want to see your profile.”  What do you do?

It’s happening more and more.  Employers see it as just another way to vet you…like references and background checks.  They already Google you and check out your LinkedIn profile, Tweets, and Facebook page.  Now they want in to see the “real” you.

If it were me, I’d say, “Thanks, but no thanks.”  (Actually, I’d say “I’ll give you my password if you give me yours.”  I’d love to see the reaction.)

A company who would invade my privacy like that is not a company I’d want to work for.  That behavior does not predict good things for me in my employment with them.  If they want to get in my business like that now, just imagine what they’d want to do later.  It’s not their business or their right to invade my private life like that.  It’s the same as if they opened my mail…that’s a federal crime.  This practice isn’t illegal yet, but it should be.  It’s illegal for employers to ask questions about your religion or age, but that’s the same kind of personal detail they’d see on your profile.  Some people think this behavior is just asking for a lawsuit (Dear Potential Employer, Please Access My Social Network), and I agree.

I’ve always advocated using Facebook as a tool in your job search (which means setting up your profile to sell yourself as a candidate and using the networking possibilities of Facebook), but if you choose not to, or if you choose privacy settings that keep some things out of public view, that’s your right.  And it should be respected.

You might say, “I can’t afford to miss a chance for a job” and feel like you have to give up your password.  But I say if you need a good job, you need a good employer.  If you think there aren’t enough jobs out there to give you the luxury of turning one down, come check out my Hidden Job Market Strategy Tips and learn how to find jobs you didn’t know were there.  Then you’ll know you don’t have to roll over and give up your private information.

I think the whole thing is intrusive.  What do you think?  Has this happened to you?  What did you do?


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