SARAH MOON STAFF WRITER
Facebook becoming part of hiring process
Seniors who apply for jobs want to make sure they have good references and that their cover letters and resumes are professional, but creating a professional image does not stop there. Many students, including Wartburg senior Stephanie Anderson, were told by professors to make sure their Facebook profiles are also professional.
However, Anderson, who hopes to become an elementary school music teacher, does not think it is right for employers to use Facebook as part of the hiring process.
“For them to be spying on me basically, I feel like they’re ethics are worse than any picture I could have with a bottle of beer on it,” Anderson said.
Therefore, Anderson is careful about what pictures she puts on her profile. Anderson has deleted some pictures that she was worried would affect her being hired. However, once a picture is posted, anyone can see it.
Why Facebook
Employers are looking at perspective employees’ Facebook profiles to see if their public face matches their private face, associate Pathways director for career services Derek Solheim said. However, Solheim said many think this method is questionable and thinks it is unfortunate employers have resorted to this.
“Well it’s not illegal for them to go and look at those pages, I think ethically I’m not sure if they have the right to do that,” Solheim said.
However, Solheim said some employers use the site effectively. Some companies, such as CUNA Mutual, use Facebook to let students know when they are coming to campus.
Anderson said having employers use Facebook to screen applicants defeats the site’s purpose.
“That not what Facebook was intended to do. It’s supposed to be for your friends and so if they’re invading my privacy I do not agree with that,” Anderson said.
Keep Facebook professional
Students do not have any control over whether an employer checks their Facebook. However, they do not have to get rid of their accounts. Instead, students should think about what goes on their profile because it could serve as a tie breaker for two equal job candidates.
It is often a good idea not to post your political and religious views on your profile because some employers might make assumptions about you, Solheim said. Solheim said he does not know of any local employers who check Facebook. However, he predicts Facebook will become more common in the hiring process.
“Be smart. Make sure you go out and spend the time before you look at these sights because an employer might look at it,” Solheim said. “Make it mom and dad friendly.”