Jason’s Post on Online Identity in a Networked World

The job market has changed drastically over the years, and these articles serve as good examples to show us how.  Applying for jobs is not as easy as it once was.  Today is all about social media; being interconnected to your family, friends, your friends’ friends, and so on, through the internet.  This is now something we have to take into account when searching for jobs, and it can work against us.

No longer do you just need an appealing, professional resume and cover letter.  It can be extremely beneficial to represent or “brand” yourself online in a professional manner (Korn, Melissa. “College Advises Students: Ditch the Selfies.” At Work RSS. N.p., 27 Mar. 2014. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.). There are even websites and services to help one achieve this, though they haven’t had overwhelming success yet. (Weber, Lauren. “Colleges Pay to Protect Students from Toxic Google Results.” At Work RSS. N.p., 17 Dec. 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.).

The big problem for most people will be employers discovering embarassing photos or information online.  People like to use social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to humiliate themselves in front of the world, by posting photos and/or videos of themselves partying drunk, passed out, etc.  If an employer discovers this, there’s a good chance you won’t even be a candidate for that job anymore.  One article I read talks about ways to hide yourself online, such as using a common Facebook name (Ryan, Rachel. “Yes, Employers Will Check Your Facebook Before Offering You a Job.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 04 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.).  That article also suggests that you just use common sense when posting on social media websites, and then it shouldn’t interfere with your job application.

I’m not really represented online at all.  I don’t have a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or anything like that. Sure I’m on OpenLab, but there’s nothing to see… just my classwork.  Plus, chances are employers won’t even find it (no offense).  When googling my name, I don’t find anything related to me.  I only find other people named Jason Choy.  This is what I expected since I choose to not participate in social media.  Still, this isn’t exactly a good thing.  A professional LinkedIn profile would actually give me an online identity, which may be beneficial as some of those articles discuss.  Perhaps one of these days I’ll consider making one.

I don’t think it’s unethical for job employers to do background checks on candidates using the internet and social media.  It’s good that they do this, because it can reveal important information.  If someone has a habit of partying and being wasted on Monday mornings, and this is evidenced on their Facebook page, an employer should bring this up in the job interview.  However, it would be wrong if they based their decision almost entirely on what they find or don’t find, but as long as it’s not the most outstanding decision in their job hiring or promoting process, I don’t have a problem with it.  I don’t know if I agree with Facebook friends affecting one’s chances to get a credit card though… just because you might be friends with someone irresponsible, that doesn’t make you irresponsible as well.

Ryan, Rachel. “Yes, Employers Will Check Your Facebook Before Offering You a Job.” The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 04 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-ryan/hiring-facebook_b_2795047.html>.