Facebook through an Employer's eyes?

[BLee]

This is on the same line as knowing what the internet knows about you. At my college we found a website that seems to magically collect information from all sorts of sources. It doesn't get everyone, but a lot of people have found profiles about themselves that was compiled from a variety of websites which included pictures, addresses, phone numbers, and other unpleasant information that they didn't know was online. It is really creepy actually.

www.peekyou.com

Thus far I've been lucky. None of my info has found its way to this site and I credit that to my need for as much privacy as can be found online. A lot of my friends haven't been so lucky.

As for social networks as a method of choosing employees I have mixed feelings. I believe that what you do anytime represents who you are and you have to accept that, but I also believe that pictures and select words cannot truly give an accurate picture of a complete personality. I know many of my profile pictures, although not inappropriate in any way, would not make sense to anyone but my closest friends. I would have for an employer to not hire me because they didn't understand an inside joke.

[MatthewShiner]

I have removed all my responses to this topic; don't wish to argue/discuss this particular topic anymore.

Happy Holidays to all.

[CBT]

I have removed all my responses to this topic; don't wish to argue/discuss this particular topic anymore.

Happy Holidays to all.

I thought your responses were extremely valid, and it was great to see the other side of the argument.

Sorry if the replies were a little argumentative. I didn't mean for the thread to turn out this way.

[Amie]

I have removed all my responses to this topic; don't wish to argue/discuss this particular topic anymore.

Happy Holidays to all.

I thought your responses were extremely valid, and it was great to see the other side of the argument.

Sorry if the replies were a little argumentative. I didn't mean for the thread to turn out this way.

I thought they were valid too!

I think this is a good debate/discussion to have, as it's really relevant.

I think what we have to remember and remind ourselves (as there are is no voice inflection and such via a discussion forum) is that we are all entitled to our opinions, and most of the time, we probably post with better intentions than what it comes across as.

Anyway, those are my 2 cents. I feel like we need to cue music here... you know that "touching moral of the story" point in sitcoms where the music plays? 

Cue music.

(kidding)

[MatthewShiner]

I still think it is a vital discussion to have, and I stand by my postings.  I just don't want to get dragged into some sort of personal argument either on the board on via private messages or e-mail on the topic.

[Trevor7]

I agree that your discussion was valid, I didn't want to argue but just discuss the other side of the argument.  I agree that many employers do use facebook to look up people before they hire them,  I just think that references are a better way to do this then facebook.

[MatthewShiner]

No apologies needed from anyone.  I just felt the conversation was sliding away from the origional topic, and any point I wanted to make had been made.  We were getting into circular arguements.  I also forget, at times, that the age/experience levels, as well as attitude about the job vary so much here - which is what makes these boards very exciting, and keep me active in them.  What makes this career so interesting is that you can approach the job from so many different directions, have so many different styles, and varying philosophies, and still be successful.  Arguments and disagreements are bound to happen (and to be looked forward to). 

[Sarah]

Though this is a sticky topic, there's an interesting article on CNN...

[LisaS]

The article also failed to mention one of my favorite Facebook features, the limited profile.  I like the option of not having to worry about the awkwardness of not friending someone who I "should" friend, but I also don't have to worry about them seeing anything of any real substance.

[Amie]

I can't figure out the limited profile thing on the "new" facebook....

[LisaS]

Instructions are somewhere in the "help" section of the site.  I haven't had to use it since the change over, so I can't be too helpful on specifics.

[Libby]

Upper right hand corner. Under settings.

[Amie]

Upper right hand corner. Under settings.

You've given me as much info. as I already know!
I think I will figure it out further. The Old Version of Facebook, I think it was a bit easier.

It's okay, though.  As of right now, I don't have anything to limit or hide. 

[Thespi620]

As a college student who (regrettably) spends a lot of time on Facebook (trying SO hard to break this habit )......

When someone sends a friend request, one of the options when you go to accept or decline is to add that person to a 'friend group'.  The dropdown menu has a "Limited Profile" option. I don't know how to switch someone to "Limited Profile" when they're already your friend, but that's how you do it when they add you.

To edit what is shown in your Limited Profile, go to settings->privacy->profile, and there are controls for who can see what on that page.

Hope this helps!

[CBT]

Though this is a sticky topic, there's an interesting article on CNN...

Didn't see that until now. That's a great article.

I added my boss at my workplace. It wasn't weird at all. I think it's great to see someone's true side besides what they do in the office/as a job.