Asked for Facebook login in interview

TPD · 22-03-2012 10:44pm

I was recently hired into a job in which the CEO had looked up my facebook page (which I'd thought was private) and flicked through my 'Amsterdam' photo album. The album wasn't quite as awful as it could have been though.

bnt · 22-03-2012 11:01pm

I was thinking something along the lines of what Seachmall said earlier: if the job had anything to do with IT, it's a test. If you give out login details when asked - no matter who is asking - you don't understand the basics of IT security, and you're out of a job.

Show Time · 22-03-2012 11:24pm

Two word reply. The second word being off

wilkie2006 · 22-03-2012 11:57pm

Rabidlamb wrote: »

Don't join Facebook, live in the real world & have real friends.

...and talk to real people, not ones you meet online in virtual communities. Oh, wait...

(I'm not much of a FB fan either, though)

Evie90 · 23-03-2012 12:31am

Facebook I actually wouldn't mind I only use it to talk to family and friends that are abroad so there's nothing remotely personal/sensitive on it but no way would I give anybody my email password there's bank, credit card, insurance and all sorts of other private information that I wouldn't let some stranger read it's one step away from opening someone's post.

Pdfile · 23-03-2012 3:33am

Biggins wrote: »

I would refuse.
Invasion of personal privacy.

If a company/business has a problem with me, I would expect them to show me evidence - not expect them to automatically wish me to lay my entire personal life and thoughts before them on their presumption that I might be guilty of something, have something to hide etc - and that I then have to prove I am innocent.

Stuff them!

you do realise that 98 % of people spend 99 % of their time finding reasons not to like you right ?? ( or the public in general )

ToddyDoody · 23-03-2012 3:57am

Try asking for the diameter of someone's urethra and offer to measure if not known. Would that get an interviewer fired? Would that get an interviewer sued? Would that get an interviewer facetime with a psychiatrist? Damn country!

mconigol · 23-03-2012 8:30am

As long as they didn't ask for my boards account I'd be ok. No one should see what ****e I write there, thank feck it's private.........oh wait :eek:

Resi12 · 23-03-2012 8:43am

How in the world have we gotten to a stage where Facebook, a social media website where you usually goof off/talk to friends has become an indication of whether you get a job or not?

"Do you want my Youtube account while you're at it, I like to watch cat videos in my spare time mixed with people eating cayenne pepper.
Does that get me this job?"

This is hilarious, people need to relax and stop taking Facebook so bloody seriously. It's actually a bit worrying that any potential employer would care what you do in your own time.

breadandjam · 23-03-2012 9:27am

Resi12 wrote: »

It's actually a bit worrying that any potential employer would care what you do in your own time.

I think all employers worry about what you do in your own time as it could influence how you carry out your job or whether you show up for work at all

I think asking someone for their facebook log in contravenes employment law here as it would give you info as to whether the interviewee is married etc which you're not allowed to ask at interviews

meganj · 23-03-2012 11:26am

In my OH's previous job HR asked his entire team for details of their facebook accounts, not logins, just the url.

My OH doesn't have a facebook account, HR practically launched an investigation to prove that he was lying because 'Everyone has a Facebook account.' Which is clearly bollocks.

Biggins · 23-03-2012 11:59am

Pdfile wrote: »

you do realise that 98 % of people spend 99 % of their time finding reasons not to like you right ?? ( or the public in general )

I won't (nor did previously) lose sleep over it.

I'm already personally hated by bad politicians, bad borough council members, the Scientology cult in Dublin and Clearwater (Florida), and a number of companies I have brought attention upon for their lies and false advertising.
(Just to mention a few...)
I still am able to sleep at night! :cool:

If a company wants to hire me because I don't stand for any crap and try to get honesty where it should be in the first place, fair enough - and they should see those aspects.
...If they don't - their loss more so!

swimming in a sea · 23-03-2012 12:10pm

I'd just say the truth I'm one of the 6 out of 7 people in the world that does not have a Facebook account.

Born to Die · 23-03-2012 12:12pm

I remember a time people had a private life, their home life was sacred. Along came the internet and people's propensity for wanting to share every stupid detail of their boring, copy book life is sent out there for anyone to view and know.

Some of the things I have heard about members of my own family posting on Facebook and Twitter confirms to everyone else what I already knew, they are morons.

I was recently asked at an interview "what kitchen utensil I am". My sexual kinks are my business. :pac:

Nothingbetter2d · 23-03-2012 12:37pm

subway wrote: »

ive decided that this story is bull****, if your profile is properly private on facebook it doesnt show up on searches.
the lad probably doesnt have any mates and is making this up so people will try "add him"

it does show up but it shows no info about you... all you get is the send friend request button

jme2010 · 23-03-2012 12:46pm

Interviewer: Can I please have your Facebook username and password?
Interviewee: Username is jme2010.

Interviewer: And the password?
Interviewee: ......

Interviewee:shiithole

Interviewer: ......

Interviewee:...With a capital "S"

...

Plazaman · 23-03-2012 12:58pm

"I'm afraid I don't have a Facebook account however I can give you access to my RedTube account. Please feel free to critique my videos but I would advise you keep the sound muted. The talk on the videos are so dirty you'll wish you had a cóck in each ear".

AudreyHepburn · 23-03-2012 1:14pm

I can see where people might see looking at some-ones Facebook profile as invasive but lets face facts and think logically....if you don't people in your private life then don't live it online.

If you have nothing to hid then you have nothing to fear from letting potential employers see your profile.

Less of the self righteousness please and a little more cop on.

And I worry about the amount of people encouraging lies in an interview....you do want the job right?

mconigol · 23-03-2012 1:17pm

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I can see where people might see looking at some-ones Facebook profile as invasive but lets face facts and think logically....if you don't people in your private life then don't live it online.

If you have nothing to hid then you have nothing to fear from letting potential employers see your profile.

Less of the self righteousness please and a little more cop on.

And I worry about the amount of people encouraging lies in an interview....you do want the job right?

Well if someone has their profile set to private then they're not exactly living their life online.

I mean if I write a diary on my computer and then share the word document with some people on my local network is that considered living my life online and therefore open to scrutiny by everyone. It's exactly the same concept.

23-03-2012 1:19pm

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I can see where people might see looking at some-ones Facebook profile as invasive but lets face facts and think logically....if you don't people in your private life then don't live it online.

If you have nothing to hid then you have nothing to fear from letting potential employers see your profile.

Less of the self righteousness please and a little more cop on.

And I worry about the amount of people encouraging lies in an interview....you do want the job right?

All my emails are online, that means I should give a potential employer my email password, right?

I have no problem giving an employer my Facebook URL. If they want to see the stuff I have shared with friends only, they can send a friend request. Which I'll reject, since I only want to share stuff on Facebook with my friends

kylith · 23-03-2012 1:24pm

This annoys me so much. I'm sure some companies would like you to video yourself when you're at home, or around town, so that they can make sure you're 'not bringing the company into disrepute'. They don't need to know what I'm talking to my friends about, they don't need to know what my highest score on Scrabble is. All they need to know is if I can do the job I've applied for; everything else is irrelevant.

mconigol · 23-03-2012 1:27pm

Funny how some people appear to think that the internet is some magical place somewhere where everyone stuff is all up for grabs and if you use the internet you shouldn't expect privacy.

It's just a bunch of networked computers.

Demanding access to someones accounts is no different than asking to tap their phone line.

Kaner2004 · 23-03-2012 1:28pm

I have a friend who wont even interview someone if he cant find them on Facebook.
He thinks they must have something to hide so he rejects them straight away.

Whats the world coming to.

Pace2008 · 23-03-2012 1:30pm

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I can see where people might see looking at some-ones Facebook profile as invasive but lets face facts and think logically....if you don't people in your private life then don't live it online.

Maybe he set his profile to private because he wanted to keep it, like, I dunno...private?

If you have nothing to hid then you have nothing to fear from letting potential employers see your profile.

Or your phone or private email details. Sure they should be allowed set up a CCTV network in your house, if you're living a decent, respectable life you have nothing to worry about, amirite?

Seriously, why should the particular form of media you use to communicate privately affect your right to privacy?

And I worry about the amount of people encouraging lies in an interview....you do want the job right?

Years ago, my aunt lied through her teeth on her CV and in her interview to secure a job in one of the UK's top law firms, in which she is now a partner. You'll have to spin few yarns if you really want the job; I'd warrant the vast majority You just have to box clever and make sure you're not caught out. Maybe this doesn't fit your ideal as to how the world should work, but there it is.

ScumLord · 23-03-2012 1:30pm

TPD wrote: »

I was recently hired into a job in which the CEO had looked up my facebook page (which I'd thought was private) and flicked through my 'Amsterdam' photo album. The album wasn't quite as awful as it could have been though.

Did you go to the banana bar on OAP night too. I'm permanently scared from that experience

breadandjam wrote: »

I think all employers worry about what you do in your own time as it could influence how you carry out your job or whether you show up for work at all

It's none of their business. Corporations have far to much power. They need us to make and buy their crap but they treat the general public like cattle. Corporations need to be cut down to size they're far to big and influential have have taken the voice away from the people.

jme2010 · 23-03-2012 1:30pm

Kaner2004 wrote: »

I have a friend who wont even interview someone if he cant find them on Facebook.
He thinks they must have something to hide so he rejects them straight away.

Whats the world coming to.

Your friend is pioneering the way forward for the Irish job's market. He should be relieved of his job immediately.

mconigol · 23-03-2012 1:35pm

Kaner2004 wrote: »

I have a friend who wont even interview someone if he cant find them on Facebook.
He thinks they must have something to hide so he rejects them straight away.

Whats the world coming to.

Your friend must not have much to do. I barely have time to read their CV's before interviewing!

...mainly because I'm on boards too much!

Born to Die · 23-03-2012 1:38pm

Kaner2004 wrote: »

I have a friend who wont even interview someone if he cant find them on Facebook.
He thinks they must have something to hide so he rejects them straight away.

Whats the world coming to.

Is your friend qualified to interview people because this reason would imply that he is not.

AeoNGriM · 23-03-2012 1:43pm

Kaner2004 wrote: »

I have a friend who wont even interview someone if he cant find them on Facebook.

He thinks they must have something to hide so he rejects them straight away.

Whats the world coming to.

I do have something to hide....my social life and my privacy. Neither affects my ability to perform my job, and neither is the business of my employer.

Facebook is a social networking website. It has nothing to do with a persons employability.

Employers need to cop the fcuk on and stay out of someone's personal business. Similarly, employees shouldn't be discussing work on Facebook, no matter if their comments either positive or negative.

secretambition · 23-03-2012 1:46pm

I read somewhere recently that a study surveyed HR people and found that picures of partying are a positive (unless the person is doing something really out of order) because they show that the person has a social life. Also, they like to see lots of "friends" on facebook.

I'm not on it because I think people mainly using it for "stalking" (in the facebook sense). I don't want every randomer I've ever met to have access to everything I do, not that I'd expect most of them to care. But still, I want to be in charge of the information that I give out.

ScumLord · 23-03-2012 1:49pm

AeoNGriM wrote: »

Employers need to cop the fcuk on and stay out of someone's personal business. Similarly, employees shouldn't be discussing work on Facebook, no matter if their comments either positive or negative.

Yeah that's what linkedin is for.

secretambition · 23-03-2012 2:00pm

AeoNGriM wrote: »

I do have something to hide....my social life and my privacy. Neither affects my ability to perform my job, and neither is the business of my employer.

Facebook is a social networking website. It has nothing to do with a persons employability.

Employers need to cop the fcuk on and stay out of someone's personal business. Similarly, employees shouldn't be discussing work on Facebook, no matter if their comments either positive or negative.

I agree with your sentiments, but the problem is they don't just want to judge you on your ability to do the job. They want an insight into your personality to guage if you will like the job and stay and also whether you will click with a team, whether you and other employees will get along well and whether it will be a pleasant working environment. I do think asking for facebook login is going to far though.

prinz · 23-03-2012 2:00pm

I think asking for your facebook is fair enough.

Asking for your password/login details is a joke.

ScumLord · 23-03-2012 2:03pm

secretambition wrote: »

I agree with your sentiments, but the problem is they don't just want to judge you on your ability to do the job. They want an insight into your personality to guage if you will like the job and stay and also whether you will click with a team, whether you and other employees will get along well and whether it will be a pleasant working environment. I do think asking for facebook login is going to far though.

That's a nonsense excuse to be nosy. They have no legitimate reason for prying into and employees job. If they can do the work that's all they need to know, the person could go home and have some sort of weird peanut butter fetish and it wouldn't make any difference to their ability to do their job.

johnnyskeleton · 23-03-2012 2:08pm

What if they ask for your boards.ie username?

I've said some pretty stupid and controversial things here in the past.

secretambition · 23-03-2012 2:10pm

ScumLord wrote: »

That's a nonsense excuse to be nosy. They have no legitimate reason for prying into and employees job. If they can do the work that's all they need to know, the person could go home and have some sort of weird peanut butter fetish and it wouldn't make any difference to their ability to do their job.

I'm not sure it's nonsense to want to assess a personality. If you put enough incompatible people in a team, regardless of how good they are at their jobs, somethings got to give, and it might the best employees that you lose.

OldGoat · 23-03-2012 2:10pm

Reply with "My Facebork account is NSFW."

Feckin' unprofessional approach by the interviewer. I'd report it to his/her Overlord for being an asshat.

secretambition · 23-03-2012 2:12pm

OldGoat wrote: »

Reply with "My Facebork account is NSFW."

Feckin' unprofessional approach by the interviewer. I'd report it to his/her Overlord for being an asshat.

Overlord might well be in on it. I doubt many people do anything that crazy without watching their back. But maybe publicise the incident if the job is a write-off after that point anyway.

ScumLord · 23-03-2012 2:24pm

secretambition wrote: »

I'm not sure it's nonsense to want to assess a personality. If you put enough incompatible people in a team, regardless of how good they are at their jobs, somethings got to give, and it might the best employees that you lose.

But how is the facebook going to tell them that? When they see him with his arm around friends in drunk pictures are they going to think he's a team player? Are they going to go by maybe some racist joke comment made in the privacy of the potential employees home to his other friends and which was maybe a joke the employer made earlier that day but didn't record it on the internet?

It's a nonsense. If you just so happen to say or do something stupid on facebook it doesn't have any baring on your ability to do a job. If those people can't work well in a group then their training and competence is lacking and that should be obvious from their work and has nothing to do with their stupid facebook pictures.

The Big Red Button · 23-03-2012 2:25pm

AudreyHepburn wrote: »

I can see where people might see looking at some-ones Facebook profile as invasive but lets face facts and think logically....if you don't people in your private life then don't live it online.

If you have nothing to hid then you have nothing to fear from letting potential employers see your profile.

Less of the self righteousness please and a little more cop on.

And I worry about the amount of people encouraging lies in an interview....you do want the job right?

Well, for a start, it's not just my own private life I'd be concerned about - if I were to give them my log-in details, they would also have access to my the private facebook pages of my family and friends, as well as private emails sent between us! It would be completely wrong for an interviewer or employer to even ask for access, and there's no way I'd give it to them if they did.

secretambition · 23-03-2012 2:35pm

ScumLord wrote: »

But how is the facebook going to tell them that? When they see him with his arm around friends in drunk pictures are they going to think he's a team player? Are they going to go by maybe some racist joke comment made in the privacy of the potential employees home to his other friends and which was maybe a joke the employer made earlier that day but didn't record it on the internet?

It's a nonsense. If you just so happen to say or do something stupid on facebook it doesn't have any baring on your ability to do a job. If those people can't work well in a group then their training and competence is lacking and that should be obvious from their work and has nothing to do with their stupid facebook pictures.

I agree that asking for facebook login is going too far as I've said.

But I think ability to work well in a team is a standard that's rising all the time. In the past, I think it meant basically just being civil, professional and cooperative. More and more, employers want, rightly or wrongly, to hold onto good employees by creating teams that people really enjoy working in. They try to pick people who actually have similar personalities and will enjoy being in each others company.

Dudess · 23-03-2012 2:38pm

Seeing as viewing someone's Facebook profile (if public) is possible in mere seconds with a tiny bit of typing and a few mouse clicks, I wouldn't blame recruiters looking it up. It leaves a bad taste and is quite sneaky, but there is nothing to stop them. I hate the idea that someone's Facebook content would prevent them getting a job when they're otherwise perfect for it - and it's not like the recruiter can be transparent and say "We looked at your Facebook and decided you're unsuitable" if asked for feedback. Plus, no matter how crazy the photos or whatever are, as someone said, work and personal life should be separate from each other. However, it is possible to lock your Facebook profile down to the point that people can't find it at all, so just do that. And even then, don't post stupid stuff (statuses/pictures) relating to work or any dubious activities!

A recruiter asking for log-in details though? Surely wrong on several levels and warranting of a disciplining for the recruiter.

Less of the self righteousness please and a little more cop on.

Er... you're a mod since when?

prinz · 23-03-2012 2:40pm

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

What if they ask for your boards.ie username?.....

....Biggins.....<.< >.>

23-03-2012 2:46pm

Dudess wrote: »

Seeing as viewing someone's Facebook profile (if public) is possible in mere seconds with a tiny bit of a typing and a few mouse clicks, I wouldn't blame recruiters looking it up. It leaves a bad taste and is quite sneaky, but there is nothing to stop them. However it is possible to lock your profile down to the point that people can't find it at all, so just do that. And even then, don't post stupid stuff (statuses/pictures) relating to work or any dubious activities!

Kind of missed the point of the thread. If it is locked down, they ask for your password so they can see everything. You'd have to lie and claim you didn't have a Facebook profile, and lying in an interview isn't a great approach. Also, it's possible to have your profile set up so it can be found, but you have to be friends to see anything on it. What do you do in that situation? EDIT: you edited your post, never mind

Incidentally, there's nothing wrong with recruiters checking stuff that's publically available. If you're stupid enough to post your drunken photos for anyone in the world to see, you have to accept the consequences. And it would be bad for the company's reputation in that case

prinz · 23-03-2012 2:50pm

28064212 wrote: »

Incidentally, there's nothing wrong with recruiters checking stuff that's publically available. If you're stupid enough to post your drunken photos for anyone in the world to see, you have to accept the consequences. And it would be bad for the company's reputation in that case

+1. Have to agree with this.

Dudess · 23-03-2012 2:52pm

It's kinda double standards though when there's no problem with staff getting rat-arsed at the office party. :pac:

kylith · 23-03-2012 2:52pm

28064212 wrote: »

Kind of missed the point of the thread. If it is locked down, they ask for your password so they can see everything. You'd have to lie and claim you didn't have a Facebook profile, and lying in an interview isn't a great approach. Also, it's possible to have your profile set up so it can be found, but you have to be friends to see anything on it. What do you do in that situation? EDIT: you edited your post, never mind

Incidentally, there's nothing wrong with recruiters checking stuff that's publically available. If you're stupid enough to post your drunken photos for anyone in the world to see, you have to accept the consequences. And it would be bad for the company's reputation in that case

I really don't see how. I can't really see there being headlines along the line's of: Company X's Admin Has One Too Many To Drink; Looks Dodgy In Photo.

secretambition · 23-03-2012 2:54pm

28064212 wrote: »

Incidentally, there's nothing wrong with recruiters checking stuff that's publically available. If you're stupid enough to post your drunken photos for anyone in the world to see, you have to accept the consequences. And it would be bad for the company's reputation in that case

I agree with this bit. People need to realise the seriousness of writing stuff down. I once heard of a guy who worked in PR being fired for making a joke about a particular religion in one of his publicity mailshots. It was a fairly popular religion in the country concerned - probably 20% of the mailing list on a law of averages basis.

secretambition · 23-03-2012 2:55pm

kylith wrote: »

I really don't see how. I can't really see there being headlines along the line's of: Company X's Admin Has One Too Many To Drink; Looks Dodgy In Photo.

It depends what you do. Primary school teacher poll-dancing on a night out? Saw that in the paper recently. Parents would have fun expaining that to kids.

23-03-2012 2:56pm

Dudess wrote: »

It's kinda double standards though when there's no problem with staff getting rat-arsed at the office party. :pac:

Difference being there's no published photos available for anyone in the world to look up at any time in the future. It's nothing to do with the fact that it happened, only that there's a published record

kylith wrote: »

I really don't see how. I can't really see there being headlines along the line's of: Company X's Admin Has One Too Many To Drink; Looks Dodgy In Photo.

Nothing to do with headlines. Say you're interacting with a client, and the client decides to look you up and sees you with your arse out in the middle of Copperface Jacks? Not exactly going to help your company's reputation

Asked for Facebook login in interview

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