Fall 08 - T07 - G1

Group Members
Najia A., YingJie C., Gregory F., Christine G.

Initial Project Statement
The sudden increase of employers using the internet to research employees has pushed many people to monitor their online image. Search engines like Google make obtaining personal information on the internet easy. We will explore how the ability of accessing this information can hurt or benefit you and how to protect yourself. In this technologically-advanced society – how does your web persona live up to employers expectations?

Introduction
Over the past decade, the internet has played a stronger and more important role in all aspects of modern culture. It is now a normality to use the internet as a source of information, communication and pleasure. As a public domain, the internet allows anyone access to information that has been put up online. Recently, it has become more popular for employers to research their employees on the web. With a few clicks of a mouse, an employer can pull up any posted information about you- whether you posted it or not. This can provide an extension to your resume, an extension you may not have been anticipating. In this technological generation, teens and young adults are unaware of the risks associated with their actions in the online world. As more and more employers start digging up information on their future workers, it is more important for everyone to start re-evaluating what they post on the internet. Whether it be pictures on Facebook, venting in your online blog, or making up rumours about someone else, soon it may affect whether or not you get the job you deserve.

Argument
Some people believe that it is fair for employers to search current or potential employees online. Others believe that the employers should not use the information on the internet to create judgements about employees. Whether employers can make good assumptions or bad assumptions about employees, all information posted on the internet is fair game. The internet is a public domain, so anything posted online can become common knowledge for the public – including your current or potential boss.

Information on the Internet
Information about you can pop up anywhere online.

Social Networking
Whether you hold an account on Facebook, MySpace, or any other social networking website, your information is available to anyone. Although you can set up fire walls and install safety settings, employers still may be able to find out about your actions through friends of yours, or, if you don’t have these safety features may they directly look at your profile. All of your pictures and the personal information you decide, or your friends decide to post on your pages will be fair game as a means of judging if you will receive the desired job, or may result in actions being taken if you are currently employed. According to recent research, up to 20% percent of employers are routinely scanning the Facebook profiles of applicants, and that number will continually rise as the information era grows. When employers stumble upon any questionable content on applicants’ profiles, it can determine whether or not they are hired, or in fact if they keep there job.


 * stat taken from a variety of websites

Different Cases: A Warning
An example of the potential dangers of your web information involve Miss New Jersey. Recently, some questionable pictures of her were brought to the attention of the media after an attempt at blackmail. These photographs did not disqualify her from the competition, but they did provoke the question, “Why are teens exposing themselves in such a way that could hurt them in the future?” Cases like Miss New Jerseys are not uncommon. In fact, even on your own profile, there may be comments and/or pictures that would cause a potential employer to make up there mind about your status in there company. It is important to remember that any information about you displayed on the internet is publicly available, and may be seen by those that you don’t want, such as employers, friends and family.

Refrences
Greg
 * http://www.bloggersblog.com/cgi-bin/bloggersblog.pl?bblog=318062


 * http://www.fastcompany.com/fast-talk-question/fast-talk-question-googling-potential-employee-interview-fair-game-or-just-blat-0


 * http://www.searchenginejournal.com/googling-employee-names-is-not-illegal/4894/


 * http://career-advice.monster.com/job-search-essentials/Job-Applicant-Beware-Youre-Being-Go/home.aspx


 * http://ask.metafilter.com/13886/


 * http://larko.wordpress.com/2006/11/11/googling-job-applicants-illegal-in-finland/


 * http://www.brighthub.com/internet/security-privacy/articles/6349.aspx


 * http://blog.expresspros.com/movinonup/2007/07/whos-facebookin.html


 * http://career.brainbloggers.com/employers-view-facebook-and-myspace-profiles-for-potential-employees.html


 * http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2007/jul/16/usnews.news

YingJie

Najia

Christine