NationStates Jolt Archive

So, on Monday I was reading Reader's Digest while I was waiting for someone else to get their hair cut, and they had an article about employers researching what potential employees post on their Facebook and/or MySpace. They apparently also do Google search for pictures, forums that you visit, stuff like that. Here's what I want to know. Why should it matter how a person acts on the internet? I mean if the person is professional in the workplace and (s)he meets the qualification for the job then why should it matter? This reminds me of the teacher who was also someone who did web cam shows, and I think she got fired for it. Why should it matters if I decide to visit a BDSM website or a website that one may consider to be questionable? As far as I see it, as long as I don't visit these site at work, if I'm professional at my work and I meet the qualification for the job, then what I do, at my home, on my computer really shouldn't affect whether or not I get a job or not. What do you guys think?

no it shouldn't matter.
and that's another crisis averted by the Mad hatter.
My work here is done.
"Smoke me a kipper i'll be back for breakfast".

*flies off dramatically to new danger area*

no it shouldn't matter.
and that's another crisis averted by the Mad hatter.
My work here is done.
"Smoke me a kipper i'll be back for breakfast".

*flies off dramatically to new danger area*

This /\

no it shouldn't matter.
and that's another crisis averted by the Mad hatter.
My work here is done.
"Smoke me a kipper i'll be back for breakfast".

*flies off dramatically to new danger area*

*fires G.T.A. (Ground to Air) Missile towards Mad hatters in jeans*

I doubt highly if this is a normal situation for employers. I am an employer and I don't do these kind of searches. However we do credit checks and background investigations in the insurance industry. Those two items will tell a lot about a person. I would also like to say anything posted on the net is really in the public domain. So if you really don't want someone knowing about your fetish than I wouldn't post it on the web.

Unless they have my computer and know my forum user names, it wont help them.

I don't see how they could trace any of the forums I post on. I have like 10 different email addresses that I never use for anything except registration, I only have one for anything important.

If they're really that desperate to go look for my MySpace and search through a shitload of pages to find it (I have a very common first and last name), then go for it, see if I care.

This /\
that's because i'm *dramatic pause*
"Captain amazing".
*fires G.T.A. (Ground to Air) Missile towards Mad hatters in jeans*

*gets hit by missle, goes to hospital to remove said missle from posterior
Starts flying again*
It's a mini adventure.

I can see it now.

Employer #1: They don't appear anywhere on the web.

Employer #2: They must be computer illiterate.

Employer #1: Or good at covering their tracks.

Employer #2: Either way, delete.

*summons a fleet of fighter planes to shoot Mad hatters in jeans down, despite the fact that each one has only one missile*

So, on Monday I was reading Reader's Digest while I was waiting for someone else to get their hair cut, and they had an article about employers researching what potential employees post on their Facebook and/or MySpace. They apparently also do Google search for pictures, forums that you visit, stuff like that. Here's what I want to know. Why should it matter how a person acts on the internet? I mean if the person is professional in the workplace and (s)he meets the qualification for the job then why should it matter?

Because they presumably want the best. The probably don't go on the net to look up damaging stuff. More to see if the candidate stands out and if they will fit in (the personal is also professional). It also gives the employer the chance to see what the candidate is like outside of the formal interview setting, with their hair let down.

/devil's advocate


(Personally I don't really approve of the practise. But I try not to put identifying information on the internets)

So, on Monday I was reading Reader's Digest while I was waiting for someone else to get their hair cut, and they had an article about employers researching what potential employees post on their Facebook and/or MySpace. They apparently also do Google search for pictures, forums that you visit, stuff like that. Here's what I want to know. Why should it matter how a person acts on the internet? I mean if the person is professional in the workplace and (s)he meets the qualification for the job then why should it matter? This reminds me of the teacher who was also someone who did web cam shows, and I think she got fired for it. Why should it matters if I decide to visit a BDSM website or a website that one may consider to be questionable? As far as I see it, as long as I don't visit these site at work, if I'm professional at my work and I meet the qualification for the job, then what I do, at my home, on my computer really shouldn't affect whether or not I get a job or not. What do you guys think?
In the particular case of teachers, they are granted enormous authority over our children. In fact, they are 'parents' while the child is at school. They should conform to a higher standard than one would expect from the guy under the car at Jiffy-Lube.

In general, or as long as it is discreet in particular cases, who cares what someone does in their spare time. But, most states give the employers the upper hand in hiring and firing. Maybe the employer just doesn't like guys that visit BDSM websites. It's his right to employ people he wants to have working for him.

In the particular case of teachers, they are granted enormous authority over our children. In fact, they are 'parents' while the child is at school. They should conform to a higher standard than one would expect from the guy under the car at Jiffy-Lube.

Comon, she got to have her own life. She can't be little Miss Perfect. Personally I don't care if she has a whole website dedicated to her little web cam strip shows, all I care about is how she acts in the classroom and if my child is actually learning anything from her.

What she does in her private life inside the privacy of her own home is no one's business except hers and whoever views her webcam.

*fires G.T.A. (Ground to Air) Missile towards Mad hatters in jeans*
Don't most people call those SAMs? Suface to Air Missiles?

Comon, she got to have her own life. She can't be little Miss Perfect. Personally I don't care if she has a whole website dedicated to her little web cam strip shows, all I care about is how she acts in the classroom and if my child is actually learning anything from her.

What she does in her private life inside the privacy of her own home is no one's business except hers and whoever views her webcam.

Like I said earlier the internet is in the public domain.

As far as I see it, as long as I don't visit these site at work, if I'm professional at my work and I meet the qualification for the job, then what I do, at my home, on my computer really shouldn't affect whether or not I get a job or not. What do you guys think?

This brings up another interesting, if tangentally related, question. Should an individual suffer professionally for what is done out of work? Should context (ie the nature of the job etc) matter?

A recent example is Greater Manchester police spotted (off duty) drinking with BNP (British National Party, a racist party, dispite their protestations) members and wearing BNP rosettes on St George's day.

Should the officers be fired or reprimanded.

That's an extreme example I know.

No it shouldn't matter, but it does.

Just like personal apperancs shouldn't matter, but it does, just like age shouldn't matter, but it does.

It may not be common now, but it will become more so. So like we have all gotten used to the idea of wearing nice smart cloths for an interview, so then we will all get used to the idea of hiding our personal details on the 'net.

Don't most people call those SAMs? Suface to Air Missiles?

Yes.

Like I said earlier the internet is in the public domain.

Still don't care.

This brings up another interesting, if tangentally related, question. Should an individual suffer professionally for what is done out of work? Should context (ie the nature of the job etc) matter?

A recent example is Greater Manchester police spotted (off duty) drinking with BNP (British National Party, a racist party, dispite their protestations) members and wearing BNP rosettes on St George's day.

Should the officers be fired or reprimanded.

That's an extreme example I know.

Heh normaly I would say no, but the opposite is true for a) any public servant, and b) racist motherfuckers.

Comon, she got to have her own life. She can't be little Miss Perfect. Personally I don't care if she has a whole website dedicated to her little web cam strip shows, all I care about is how she acts in the classroom and if my child is actually learning anything from her.

What she does in her private life inside the privacy of her own home is no one's business except hers and whoever views her webcam.
I disagree. There's a big difference between being "Little Miss Perfect"
http://static.flickr.com/80/235778516_e7833442c7.jpg
and doing the full monty on a webcam. We, meaning society, have different standards for people who care for children. That's why we're so hard on pedophiles, for instance.

Heh normaly I would say no, but the opposite is true for a) any public servant, and b) racist motherfuckers.

Indeed.

I had actually forgotten about it until now, so I don't know what eventually happen with the officers.

I can see it now.

Employer #1: They don't appear anywhere on the web.

Employer #2: They must be computer illiterate.

Employer #1: Or good at covering their tracks.

Employer #2: Either way, delete.

I really wonder if not even having facebook/myspace is harmful. Maybe I should get one. What do employers look for in a myspace?

*summons a fleet of fighter planes to shoot Mad hatters in jeans down, despite the fact that each one has only one missile*

*calls up a flight of fully loaded Su-30's to escort MHiJ*
http://bigdogdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/800px-sukhoi_su30_af.jpg

I disagree. There's a big difference between being "Little Miss Perfect"
http://static.flickr.com/80/235778516_e7833442c7.jpg
and doing the full monty on a webcam. We, meaning society, have different standards for people who care for children. That's why we're so hard on pedophiles, for instance.

I don't agree with your analogy. If she's not giving the URL to her students and telling them to watch her "tonight" and if she's not doing anything on the web cam with children or with a non-consenting adults, then once again, it shouldn't matter.

People deserve to have a life separated from work, we call them personal life, and they should be respected.

I disagree. There's a big difference between being "Little Miss Perfect"

and doing the full monty on a webcam. We, meaning society, have different standards for people who care for children. That's why we're so hard on pedophiles, for instance.

Also. She was "broadcasting" (for want of a better word) the stuff. Which is very different from just being a bit kinky behind closed doors.

Don't most people call those SAMs? Suface to Air Missiles?

Generally

I really wonder if not even having facebook/myspace is harmful. Maybe I should get one. What do employers look for in a myspace?

Full name, address, credit card numbers.

Just the normal stuff...

[QUOTE=Dyakovo;13614936]*calls up a flight of fully loaded Su-30's to escort MHiJ*
The rails are empty. Y'all plan to just fly by real close and scare someone?
Now, here's a guy that ready...
http://www.swordsmen.org/aviat-gall/tomcat17.jpg
Anytime, Baby!

They search me, they'll find my deans list listings from my parents hometown paper, a reference to my internship experience, a PDF copy of my high school newspapers senior edition for the class of 2004, and a reference to some German nerd whose name is almost the same as mine. Oh, and my evil twin, Benjamin, which happens to be the name my parents wanted to give me, but they didn't, they decided on Andrew.

The internet is available to everyone, despite the fact it feels safe and private when we're sat in our homes. If your facebook entry entitled "why I hate being an accountant" is the first result in a google search for your name then you've only got yourself to blame if a potential employer looks elsewhere.

Whilst I have the name sirmomo1 as a disguise I can be a lot less guarded than I would be if I had to post under my real name.

*calls up a flight of fully loaded Su-30's to escort MHiJ*
The rails are empty. Y'all plan to just fly by real close and scare someone?
Now, here's a guy that ready...

Anytime, Baby!

Please

http://www.globalaircraft.org/photos/planephotos/f-22-1.jpg

F-22 Raptor is the one to beat.

*calls up a flight of fully loaded Su-30's to escort MHiJ*
The rails are empty. Y'all plan to just fly by real close and scare someone?
Now, here's a guy that ready...
http://www.swordsmen.org/aviat-gall/tomcat17.jpg
Anytime, Baby!

I said fully loaded, I just couldn't in a quick search find a pic of one that was armed.

And if I had to bet one the outcome of a fight between a Su-30 and a F-14 (assuming equal level of skill for the pilots) I'd put my money on the Su-30.

Full name, address, credit card numbers.

Just the normal stuff...

I said employers not thieves and stalkers.

I don't agree with your analogy. If she's not giving the URL to her students and telling them to watch her "tonight" and if she's not doing anything on the web cam with children or with a non-consenting adults, then once again, it shouldn't matter.

People deserve to have a life separated from work, we call them personal life, and they should be respected.
And you are entitled to have an opinion about it. It just doesn't happen to be a popular one. When you run contrary to what society is willing to permit, you are going to suffer some consequences. The fact is that we DO hold anyone, from bus drivers to principals, to a higher standard than most other folks, simply because they care for children. That's our soft spot -- anything "for the children" is almost an automatic. People that send their kids to be cared for by the state deserve to have those giving the care behave in responsible ways.

If the teacher in this particular case was discreet about her activity, she wouldn't be the bit of news she is now. There's a lot to be said for not doing something that will get you fired, then shoving it into people's faces.

I said employers not thieves and stalkers.

Whore yourself out on your MySpace and Facebook. What I say is, make it seem like you eat, sleep, live and breath for the profession, act like you have NO life outside of the profession, Hell even whore yourself out for the company you want to work for. :D

Please

http://www.globalaircraft.org/photos/planephotos/f-22-1.jpg

F-22 Raptor is the one to beat.

But can it do this? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY0t_mPv6I4)

And you are entitled to have an opinion about it. It just doesn't happen to be a popular one. When you run contrary to what society is willing to permit, you are going to suffer some consequences. The fact is that we DO hold anyone, from bus drivers to principals, to a higher standard than most other folks, simply because they care for children. That's our soft spot -- anything "for the children" is almost an automatic. People that send their kids to be cared for by the state deserve to have those giving the care behave in responsible ways.

If the teacher in this particular case was discreet about her activity, she wouldn't be the bit of news she is now. There's a lot to be said for not doing something that will get you fired, then shoving it into people's faces.

Screw the Children, they're the future, Today belong to us! :)

I said employers not thieves and stalkers.

I know...

Though I a have seen people go overboard with the "this page is a de facto extention of my CV" to the point of including contact numbers, addresses, identifying information and previous employment.

Which isn't particuarly sensible imo.

But can it do this? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY0t_mPv6I4)

I can do better! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Q6Vb9xJM0)

I said fully loaded, I just couldn't in a quick search find a pic of one that was armed.

And if I had to bet one the outcome of a fight between a Su-30 and a F-14 (assuming equal level of skill for the pilots) I'd put my money on the Su-30.
The thing is that there will never be parity between fleet pilots in the US and everyday pilots that would fly the Su-30. The Soviets/Russians just don't have the money to put into training. Then, there's the fact that the F-14 comes with two and the Su-30 is single piloted. There's a huge advantage when you have that second guy in the plane.

I'll always bet on the American pilot/crew -- especially if the F-14 comes with the rest of the air wing.

Screw the Children, they're the future, Today belong to us! :)

Okay. I give.

But can it do this? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY0t_mPv6I4)
I wouldn't drag that plane into a slow fight. I'd shoot it BVR.

I can do better! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_Q6Vb9xJM0)

Impressive...

But still (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=891jH3wZD7s&feature=related), I don't think there's any jet fighter out there that can match the current generation of Sukhoi's when it comes to maneuverability.

I wouldn't drag that plane into a slow fight. I'd shoot it BVR.

Maybe so, depends upon whether or not Sukhoi's claims about it evasive abilities are even close to accurate.

I believe one's private life is separate from one's professional life in the sense of hobbies, interests, sex etc and one should not effect the other. However, some job applicants have provided their myspace or facebook details, and sometimes there have been items that make me think again. For example, one applicant described her current job and salary VERY differently to the information she gave to us, and another laughed about the items he'd stolen from his employer's warehouse. If you are going to incriminate yourself in public, don't be surprised that prospective employers are loathe to trust you.

I believe one's private life is separate from one's professional life in the sense of hobbies, interests, sex etc and one should not effect the other. However, some job applicants have provided their myspace or facebook details, and sometimes there have been items that make me think again. For example, one applicant described her current job and salary VERY differently to the information she gave to us, and another laughed about the items he'd stolen from his employer's warehouse. If you are going to incriminate yourself in public, don't be surprised that prospective employers are loathe to trust you.
There is a damn good point. Why in the world would one want to put a facebook or myspace account on a resume or application? I suppose that it would be a good idea if it related directly to the job, but otherwise, the less said about one's personal life, the better. Employers really can't ask much about personal details, so don't volunteer them.