Could Boards influence peoples opinion of you in the real world?

Mrs_Doyle

A friend of mine, who resides in the UK, is interviewing for jobs at the moment.
In one of their interviews, they were recognised from another forum site, and when they admitted that they were indeed the user in question, they reckon the interview turned a bit frosty.
My friend would be a bit of a troll, always posting something controversial just for the hell of it, and apparently he has a bit of a reputation on the site in question.

Anyhow, it got me thinking, he could have been paranoid, or looking for reasons as to why the interview didn't go as well as he hoped, but do you think it is possible for Boards to effect peoples opinion of you in the real world?

Kinetic^

He had internet browsing as a hobby? Or was it his actual name that was recognised?

Mrs_Doyle

Kenny 5 wrote:

He had internet browsing as a hobby? Or was it his actual name that was recognised?

His user name and he was recognised from a few pictures he had posted on something similar to the Know Your Nerd Thread.
Also, his myspace link is in his profile information.

Just want to point out, he could very well be clutching at straws here, but he did say that as soon as his username was mentioned that everything went downhill from there.

Sleepy

Wouldn't surprise me tbh.

I've been told a couple of times at boards beers etc. that I'm much nicer in real life than 'Sleepy' is on here.

Bloody strange, Mrs_Doyle, I was just thinking about the idea of a client recognising me from boards and how badly it could go down about 3 miinutes before I logged back into boards.ie. :eek:

Stop reading my mind with your mind reading ray type thing!!!!

/me grabs tinfoil hat.

Heyes

To be honest yeah i spout a lot of rubish at the best of times on here, but I dont think i would say enough to have a reaction like that if i was recognised in an interview. Firstly i never would get recognised in that manner but if hypathetically i was i dont think it would make a slight bit of difference

The only thing that sprung to mind when i read that was firstly, very unproffesional behaviour of the interviee to base there opinion on how your friend acts online as everyone always go through phases of just taking the pi*s it doesnt mean they would act in this behaviour within the working environment.

Your friend tbh must have made some impact on the forum he was on, in quite a negative manner to have a reaction like that.

The Sweeper

I can't believe either the interviewer or interviewee thought that disucssion of an online persona was a good idea in an interview situation.

"So, please read this section in the staff handbook on internet usage..."

robinph

You mean that I'm not actually anonymous on here then and someone could figure out who I am in real life from my user name? :eek:

jor el

Admitting to being a troll (most of which are morons) in an interview probably turned the balance of opinion against him alright. Not surprising really, if I was interviewing someone and they admitted to this kind of practice on the Internet then I'd surely consider the possibility that this is something that's in this persons nature.

I wouldn't necessarily consider it to be unprofessional of the interviewers either, but it could be. How did this even come up in the interview? In an interview you can't use something against a person unless they bring it up themselves. Was there anything in his CV linking to his myspace profile or the forum in question? Perhaps they researched him before the interview and found it that way.

Tell your friend to stop being a spammy git though.

Eoin

Mrs_Doyle wrote:

A friend of mine, who resides in the UK, is interviewing for jobs at the moment.
In one of their interviews, they were recognised from another forum site, and when they admitted that they were indeed the user in question, they reckon the interview turned a bit frosty.
My friend would be a bit of a troll, always posting something controversial just for the hell of it, and apparently he has a bit of a reputation on the site in question.

Anyhow, it got me thinking, he could have been paranoid, or looking for reasons as to why the interview didn't go as well as he hoped, but do you think it is possible for Boards to effect peoples opinion of you in the real world?

If someone regularly goes particularly out of their way to be helpful - and I can think of a few regulars on boards off the top of my head - then it would influence my opinion in a positive way - but the reverse wouldn't really influence my opinion as much.

A lot of people just don't realise how many different ways that written forms of communication can be taken. What may be a concise or witty reply to the poster, could be a condescending / sarcastic / arrogant reply to the person reading it. Also, a lot of people seem to enjoy having some kind of alter-ego online, which probably doesn't reflect what they are like to work with.

Mrs_Doyle

jor el wrote:

Admitting to being a troll (most of which are morons) in an interview probably turned the balance of opinion against him alright. Not surprising really, if I was interviewing someone and they admitted to this kind of practice on the Internet then I'd surely consider the possibility that this is something that's in this persons nature.

I wouldn't necessarily consider it to be unprofessional of the interviewers either, but it could be. How did this even come up in the interview? In an interview you can't use something against a person unless they bring it up themselves. Was there anything in his CV linking to his myspace profile or the forum in question? Perhaps they researched him before the interview and found it that way.

Tell your friend to stop being a spammy git though.

I think the interviewer recognised him from his picture.

I would have thought it inappropriate to bring up a forum site in an interview, but I have been in an interview were the interviewer discussed Boards at great length.
I had never even heard of the site at the time, but he told me all about his use of his site, and the users who he thought targeted him. (Bit Crazy, I know!)

I am fairly sure that there is a good chance that I could be recognised from Boards, without the interviewer actually having to ask me if I am who they think I am.
It is a bit scary to think about how much information I have provided about myself, without actually realising the possible consequences.

jor el

Mrs_Doyle wrote:

It is a bit scary to think about how much information I have provided about myself, without actually realising the possible consequences.

Hmm, well I know your name is Mrs Doyle and you live on an island, in a Parochial house no less, so it shouldn't be too hard to track you down. Oh and the link to your bebo profile in your sig might also provide some clues.

Rb

Noone (bar one or two) in offline life knows I use Boards, I've one picture on the Know Your Nerds thread but I've had a haircut since then so I can't imagine I'll be easily recognised so I doubt anyones opinion of me offline will be influenced by what I say and do on here.

Some people maybe, the ones who actively seek attention perhaps might be recognised offline but its noone elses business really and should most certainly not affect a job interview.

Mrs_Doyle

jor el wrote:

Hmm, well I know your name is Mrs Doyle and you live on an island, in a Parochial house no less, so it shouldn't be too hard to track you down. Oh and the link to your bebo profile in your sig might also provide some clues.

Ha, ha, ha! I wasn't puzzled as to 'how' it might happen, I am just aware of the fact that it 'could' happen in the future.

Sleepy

Mrs_Doyle wrote:

I have been in an interview were the interviewer discussed Boards at great length.
I had never even heard of the site at the time, but he told me all about his use of his site, and the users who he thought targeted him. (Bit Crazy, I know!)

Ray Foley?

Mrs_Doyle

Sleepy wrote:

Ray Foley?

lol

Miss Fluff

That's why I would be loath to posting my photo up on Know Your Nerds.

This is without prejudice by the way and is merely hypothetical. I am a manager here at work and one particular individual is suspect to say the least. As such I have taken to checking out her Bebo periodically. On quite a few occasions now she has asked me if she can go home due to illness/family problems/personal issues and then when I log on to her page (I have registered an empty account) she declares that she is off to Dundrum shopping for the day/was out on the razzle the night before.

Kids these days :rolleyes:

Ruu_Old

rb_ie wrote:

Noone (bar one or two) in offline life knows I use Boards, I've one picture on the Know Your Nerds thread but I've had a haircut since then so I can't imagine I'll be easily recognised so I doubt anyones opinion of me offline will be influenced by what I say and do on here.

Some people maybe, the ones who actively seek attention perhaps might be recognised offline but its noone elses business really and should most certainly not affect a job interview.

Same here. I'm fairly safe*, I think. Besides I'm in another country right now. I try to be helpful all over boards so maybe if someone found some of my posts there then it would benefit me, I dunno.

"So I noticed that you have a hatred for "Noobies and fanbois", is that going to be a problem for you working with us?"


*or am I!:eek:

rcunning03

Scary thougt actually, I've expressed a few opinions on these boards I wouldn't like people knowing that it was me. Don't have bebo or myspace, couldn't be arsed with it. I read companies in the UK do a search on Bebo and Myspace with prospective employees. Never intentionally flamed, but if you were to base your opinion of me (or anybody) based on what I posted here...... It's stupid we should be free to talk sh*t on the net without worrying about f*cking up future job prospects.

Any company that does that, wouldn't be worth working for and they'd probably require a drugs test anyway. Screw 'em

grimloch

I'd imagine it would be a problem if someone was the sort who starts threads titled: "HAY GUYZ, I TOTALLY STOLE LIKE A MILLION STAPLERS FROM WORK TODAY!!" or who frequently refers to their boss as a douche and boasts about how little work they actually do.

I'd like to think that most people realise that internet personas are not the same as someones real life persona.

biko

Mrs_Doyle wrote:

do you think it is possible for Boards to effect peoples opinion of you in the real world?

Well, if I ever met John Breslin IRL I'd buy him a drink.

BlitzKrieg

I'd like tothink boards would have a positive influence on the peoples opinion of me in the real world, mainly because the only change between the two personalities would be the volume would go up alot more in the real world.


Though on numerous occasions I have been complimented on either being funnier then they expected or instantly recognisable.

BlueSpiral

I have to say I'm a bit creeped out if I get recognised by someone, though not if I planned to meet up with them, though I don't think I'd ever do that. I do know like about 2 people from here in real life, but i knew them before I joined here. I got paranoid a few weeks back and tried to take down my pictures from Know Your Nerds but for some reason or another it wouldn't let me, but I do look a bit different since then.

robinph

grimloch wrote:

and boasts about how little work they actually do.

If my boss is reading this then it's about time you made my job redundant, please.

Civilian_Target

Mrs_Doyle wrote:

A friend of mine, who resides in the UK, is interviewing for jobs at the moment.
In one of their interviews, they were recognised from another forum site, and when they admitted that they were indeed the user in question, they reckon the interview turned a bit frosty.
My friend would be a bit of a troll, always posting something controversial just for the hell of it, and apparently he has a bit of a reputation on the site in question.

Anyhow, it got me thinking, he could have been paranoid, or looking for reasons as to why the interview didn't go as well as he hoped, but do you think it is possible for Boards to effect peoples opinion of you in the real world?

In the IT industry it's quite common for interviewers or HR people to google you before the interview...

Bateman

Interesting thread this. Opens your eyes to how easy it is for prospective employers to do their homework. I don't have any Bebo / Myspace pages, don't see the point of it to be honest. Certainly wouldn't be keen on registering for either site after reading some of the stuff on this thread. :eek:

BlitzKrieg

glad I dont work in IT, some horrible stuff on the internet under my name.

Pigman II

robinph wrote:

If my boss is reading this then it's about time you made my job redundant, please.

Surely if your boss has time to be reading this then it's his own job that should be made redundant?

Boston

Yes it can. I'm inclined to consider someone who posts racist,sexist,homophobic, biggot opinions on forums are exactly what they pretend to be online.

Bateman

Boston wrote:

Yes it can. I'm inclined to consider someone who posts racist,sexist,homophobic, biggot opinions on forums are exactly what they pretend to be online.

Strange, I would assume the opposite. I'd assume that they cover it up in real life, and none of their workmates / acquaintances would be aware of such leanings.

BlitzKrieg

Bateman wrote:

Strange, I would assume the opposite. I'd assume that they cover it up in real life, and none of their workmates / acquaintances would be aware of such leanings.

but they still are:

racist,sexist,homophobic, biggot

even if they hide it in the *real world* (makes you think if this world is more real)

To be honest if that happened to me I wouldn't know what to say or do! I would hope the interviewer had an once of professionalism but sometimes you never know:rolleyes:

is_that_so

Civilian_Target wrote:

In the IT industry it's quite common for interviewers or HR people to google you before the interview...

Apparently I work for a sheriff's department in Masachusetts.:rolleyes: Think the only danger to people is when they forget that it is not IM and that posts remain for posterity.

Sleepy

Bloody hell, wouldn't like the thought of what a prospective employer might find by googling my name. I'm sure I've posted references to smoking weed etc. online. Nothing major imo, but might be enough to put off a straight-laced interviewer! :eek:

Terry

christ, i'd never get a job if any employer knew i was me. or something.

Miguel_Sanchez

That's why I don't post under my actual name and indeed as far as I'm aware there's no link between my username on boards (or any other forum) and my real name. Only a few people know what my username is on boards but it wouldn't affect me overly if they did know as I don't post anything I wouldn't say in real life.

Also - nobody cares in my line of work as long as you can get the job done well.

On a similar note though I have had people getting snotty with me because they were told by a third party what my username was and were sent a link to a post I made that they presumed was about them. It wasn't about them but it made me aware that if you say something on boards about someone then they can and probably will find out about it. Still doesn't excuse the **** stirring ****er who sent the link on to them though.

Black Swan

The gossip columnists hire PI firms to investigate entertainers. They just love to find poop to write about, be it sourced online or off.

Vorsprung

My GF works for a well known auditing company in Dublin, apparently they have about 3-4 people who check out prospective employees on Bebo, MySpace etc., anything dodgy and they're not considered! :eek:

The_Minister

When I first started on boards, I had already talked to Pretty_Monster a few times. When I told her who I was was, her response was: "But you're so nice!"

I think that many people who may be nice in real life to not represent themselves well here.

Winters

I should really get rid of those terribly drunken pictures from my bebo account so.....

User45701

well i dont know about in a interview but ive noticed my boss doesent relay like me checking boardsevery 20 mins in work...

Giblet

A few people know me in real life. If it affected a job or something, I wouldn't have any confidence in the employer and wouldn't take the job anyway.