An AP News article came out today entiled, “Job seekers getting asked for Facebook passwords.” Sounds crazy, right? This spurred a bunch of follow-on articles/posts like the one below, Facebook and Twitter mentions, etc.
Except when you actually read the content of the article (the one above), it turns out that these were rare and specific instances, mostly within the realm of law enforcement positions. Does that make it right or more acceptable? Maybe not, but it is certainly a very different topic with different arguments. This is not a widespread tactic, but a rare (albeit bizarre) circumstance. It would be no different if a headline said, “Employers assign specialists to do a 6 month background check, interviewing your closest friends and family.” It is true that for certain government and law enforcement jobs that is the case, but generalizing it in the headline is misleading.
Because a lot of lazy online readers don’t read the full content of articles, arguments and speculations about the generalized assumption proliferate and before long people are wasting their time arguing about something that isn’t even the case.
How do we fix this problem of sensationalized headlines spurring a domino effect of inappropriate conclusions?
Employers Want Your Facebook Password
Candidates are being asked with alarming frequency to share their Facebook logins with employers. It’s becoming a widespread practice that’s not limited to tech by any means, which represents a dangerous development in your efforts to separate your personal and professional lives.
via: news.dice.com
Related articles
- Job seekers getting asked for Facebook passwords (thehimalayantimes.com)
- Your comments: Some employers are asking job applicants for Facebook username, password (nj.com)
- Want to Friend Your Employer? (signal108.com)
