Facebook is an online social networking service which has become quite famous since it launched in February 2004. It is an extremely convenient platform to communicate and stay connected to people all over the world. It has taken social networking to a whole new level. With features such as adding photos, videos, instant messaging, online communities and the list goes on it has become a popular social networking site. Though, there is always a limit to the usage of a certain product or item, in this case, Facebook.

In recent times it has become so easy to access an individual’s information online that it can be extremely hurtful and damaging. One such example is potential employers checking an individuals Facebook page as a pre-screening process. Such information can be extremely damaging to one’s career. Three-quarters of recruiters check applicants out on the internet when hiring (Nolo, 2013). If they find any references to drug use, heavy drinking, sexually offensive material, violent material etc they reject job applicants (ibit). Recently, employers have also started to ask applicants to provide their passwords and log-in information as part of the interview process.

This is a major infringement on our privacy’s, and the issues of discrimination, ethics and morality spring up. Steps such as updating one’s privacy and account settings on Facebook can hide private information that one posts on Facebook away from potential employers. Once you start embarking on a job search you might want to consider going through a clean up. Or start now and make sure that your use of all your online media, specially Facebook is within limits and used professionally.

Sources:

Guerin, Lisa. “Can Potential Employers Check Your Facebook Page?” Nolo.com. N.p., 2013. Web. 01 Oct. 2013. <http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/can-potential-employers-check-your-facebook-page.html>.