The new background check?

Recently I applied for two jobs with two well-known companies.  One of the companies wanted to do a reference check and a background check before the interview and the other one after the interview.

These checks are something I am used to since I have been either the hiring manager or the applicant for the last 15 years. But on this last interview, something was different. Something in the application process was new.

So you might ask me, "Allen, what was new, don't keep us in suspense". Ok, here it comes. There were 2 columns on the application that said "Heard of?" and "Use?" In hindsight I don't remember all of them on the list (about 25) but these were the ones that stood out to me:

• Friendster
• MySpace
• AOL
• YouTube

There were just checkboxes next to each one, no mention of how this information would be used. So this got me thinking…. is this the new reference check?

Are companies now going to check how we use social networking sites to determine if we are fit for the position? So if I create objectionable videos on YouTube, if the company does not approve of my "friends" on MySpace, am I out of a potential job? Even more importantly, could I lose my job for the same reasons? Companies are always looking for ways to hire the best possible applicants and these online searches on social networking sites could be a new way to weed out the bad from the good. The employed versus the employable.

So I will share with you the same thing I shared with all of the teams I led, be careful what you do online. Someone is (sadly) always watching. Now share your thoughts in this area, and don't worry I won't check your background before approving your comment!

Tags: background checks | centernetworks