Obviously, this is not a new topic- but the info I'm including came from a "magazine" (very, very thin) today...
I got my copy of Nurse.com..... I found this interesting in light of the trouble people are having finding jobs, or after leaving unsatisfactory jobs... I have no idea if any of this plays a role in what people are experiencing- just found it interesting. :)
According to the article, a study in 2009 of employers (didn't pertain specifically to nursing, but all jobs), 45% of employers use social media to screen job applicants....35% said the info they found led them to NOT hire someone . Some examples (can also go to Nurse.com to see the whole article) of things that led to not hiring someone included:
-Provocative/inappropriate photos or information
-Information about drinking or drug use (could concerns about drug screens be included? IDK)
-Criticism of past employers, clients, or co-workers
-POOR communication skills (spelling, grammar, language usage, vocabulary would be examples)
-Discriminatory comments - of any type (article didn't give specifics)
-Misrepresentation of qualifications
-Shared confidential information from an ex-employer
While this may be "personal" information, as soon as it hits a social media site, it's up for grabs, and can be used.
I focused on this part of the article- there is a lot more. I'm not sure how they narrow down who belongs to what user name- or if they go with suspected info by which they can reasonably deduce information.
I did not write this :) Basically, it's saying that if you don't want what you say about a former employer, co-workers, or patients/clients , or your questionable extra-curricular activities known by future/past employers- don't post it :)
I can understand why employers would take advantage of social networking sites- it's free info that doesn't get them in hot water.
Just cause you have your privacy settings on does not mean you have complete privacy. That was the original purpose of social media networks. If you pay close attention what you send as a message to someone that information is sold and that's where most of the advertising comes from- based on what you are saying. Have you ever wondered how news programs were able to use people Facebook pictures. Its really not as private as it may seem and people think it can not harm them I personally know people who got fired for posting a picture of a patients wound on Facebook. One more thing this is far from gossiping this is information that most people don't know
If they have your e-mail address, they can find out which networks you are part of, and read your info since your user name can come up with the e-mail info.... if your privacy settings are fairly tight, it makes it harder. Twenty bucks and a people search site can find out all sorts of info - You could search your employers' info (background check, income, etc). It's pretty crazy. If there's a cross reference site (not sure who does this) your name and e-mail will tie together information and make it easier for the employer to find your stuff......
Ever google your own user name? It's interesting !! Granted, an employer won't have your user name, but with other info, may be able to figure out who you are. Birthdates, location, gender, etc...all narrow things down :)
Only if you use your main email address to join social networking sites. It's easy to get a free email address to use for Facebook and only Facebook- that's what both DH and I have done.
1. Never befriend any of your work mates...never ever...ever...ever . I have seen people get screwed about it.
2. If you need to vent on Facebook then have an anonymous account.
3. If you ever seek a security clearance please never post any derogatory statements, crazy pictures. I once need security clearance and i even had to meet a federal background interviewer. He asked me if i had Facebook; was tempted to say no but to be honest i said Yes since Big Brother is watching. Lucky for me he knew i had an account and the first thing he requested was for me to log onto Facebook and then leave the room. After 5 minutes he came back and told me," Your Facebook is simple and non-inflammatory so you are cleared to continue with this interview".
4. Use your privacy settings.
5. Last but not least always have a official email for any correspondence with potential employers.
Specializes in ED, Neuro, Management, Clinical Educator.
I will contribute this:
GETTING the job may be one thing, but KEEPING it is another. I work for a large hospital chain. They have strict rules that forbid talking about the hospital in any public venue, or representing them poorly in any context. That means don't list them as your employer, don't post a status update of "My job sucks!", and for the love of god don't take a picture on their property with your cellphone and upload it to Facebook. I've seen people fired for every one of these things.
Sadly, despite the above privacy measures, employers are still presented with this info even if they aren't looking for it. Every instance I mentioned above was brought to mgmt's attention by other nurses who were friends with the offending staff and printed out/reported the content to the boss.
Specializes in Happily semi-retired; excited for the whole whammy.
I will contribute this:
GETTING the job may be one thing, but KEEPING it is another. I work for a large hospital chain. They have strict rules that forbid talking about the hospital in any public venue, or representing them poorly in any context. That means don't list them as your employer, don't post a status update of "My job sucks!", and for the love of god don't take a picture on their property with your cellphone and upload it to Facebook. I've seen people fired for every one of these things.
Sadly, despite the above privacy measures, employers are still presented with this info even if they aren't looking for it. Every instance I mentioned above was brought to mgmt's attention by other nurses who were friends with the offending staff and printed out/reported the content to the boss.
I don't doubt any of this to be true except for your last sentence... no friend would rat another friend out for something that doesn't compromise patient care or employee well being. With friends like that, none of us are in need of enemies...
To me there is NO excuse for this to happen. Facebook (and i'm sure other sites) have privacy measures you can control. If your employer or a potential employer finds your "stuff" then it's your own fault. You can:....
You can also not post anything stupid on Facebook.
From an article I read a couple months ago( it was on yahoo, can't find the link), FB gives access to firms that carry out background seaches on potential employees for hiring companies. So even if you have very private settings on your facebook page, these companies have access to infomation that say a coworker or employer cannot see.
Just one more reason to hate FB While I do have an account (just to rarely check on relatives who have forgotten how to call or send email), I post absolutely nothing, and will keep it that way.
It's scary, though, to think that there is absolutely not privacy anywhere....
I'm not worried about anything I write or post under my real name - however, this thread makes me wonder if detailed background checks could link my AN user name with my email and therefore me....
Is this a possibility? Or need I only worry about this if I need some kind of security clearance (or wanted to work for the FBI)?!
DeLana
P.S. Do we all need to start deleting our posts... and if we do, it probably won't even help if they're archived?!
I'm not worried about anything I write or post under my real name - however, this thread makes me wonder if detailed background checks could link my AN user name with my email and therefore me....
Is this a possibility? Or need I only worry about this if I need some kind of security clearance (or wanted to work for the FBI)?!
DeLana
P.S. Do we all need to start deleting our posts... and if we do, it probably won't even help if they're archived?!
That's what I was thinking about when I read the article.
i once heard that "liking" a facebook group or whatever then gives them pretty detailed access to your page regardless of privacy settings. said that was why employers encouraged employees to like the organization's page. does anyone know if that is true? if so, wow.....
people really do need to be smarter. i occasionally read on another forum group where postings are often quite personal.
one member just recently posted the full text from her daily blog since her blog subject matter happened to also pertain to the forum group. she stated in one post that because she liked the anonymity of the board , she didn't want to post a link to her blog and have people connect the blog to her so she said she would just paste the blog content in a separate post within the thread and figured that covered her.
out of curiosity to see if/how easy it was to connect the two i googled the blog title. yep, very simple. lo & behold she happens to be a fairly well known speaker. i didn't bother to look at what she had previously posted in the forum but i can guarantee you it was personal .
While I do have an account (just to rarely check on relatives who have forgotten how to call or send email), I post absolutely nothing, and will keep it that way.
ckh23, BSN, RN
1,446 Posts
Another way they get around the privacy setting is when someone is nieve enough to accept friend requests from their employer/boss.