OMG: Why a status like this could get you sacked, LOL
Facebook is everywhere. The social networking website recently passed the 300 million users mark, giving Facebook a population larger than any country, baring the USA, India and China.
In the UK, nearly one in three have a profile. Due to its popularity, Facebook has become a ubiquitous part of everyday life. Similar sites, such as Bebo and Myspace are in decline, with falling revenues and declining amounts of users. But Facebook goes from strength to strength, giving a forum to people who want to put every moment of their private life into the public domain.
Employers have been aware of this for quite a while. It’s only now, however, that employers looking at social networking sites prior to offering jobs have become the norm, rather than the exception.
75 per cent of young people claimed that they could not live without the internet. Nearly half admitted that they were happiest when on the internet.
A recent survey showed that nearly half of all employers do this, and that companies really do change their decisions based on what they read on site like Facebook. In another survey of 2,600 hiring managers, 53 per cent admitted that they had not hired candidates after looking at them on Facebook simply because of some inappropriate photographs or bad spelling.
These statistics alarmed me. If my dream employer searched for me on Facebook, the first picture they would find is one of me devouring a chicken leg, caveman style.
Delve further into my profile and the intrepid Facebook stalker/future employer would be greeted with hundreds of photos of me drinking, skiing and (my personal favourite) shirtless with both nipples covered in shaving cream at Leeds Festival.
Something tells me I wouldn’t be getting that job. My Facebook page gives the impression that I am a drunk who enjoys nothing more than debasing himself at music festivals. The only upside is that, amidst all the debauchery, my spelling is impeccable.
Aside from the photos, my profile shows me to be a nerd with a penchant for foul language (even if spelled impeccably). From an employers point of view, however, bad language is a lot better than slagging off your job in statuses.
Back in February, there was a well-publicised case of an office worker sacked for revealing that she was “so totally bord!!!” at work on Facebook. The manager sacked her as he did not want the company’s name in the media, rather than for her terrible spelling. Unfortunately, he didn’t bank on the girl selling her story to the Daily Mail.
There is a simple way around this problem. Set your profile on private and no one but your ‘friends’ can view it. This means you can write whatever you like. You could even do what one girl did and write “OMG I HATE MY JOB! My boss is a total pervy wanker always making me do shit stuff just to piss me off.”
This is fine, unless you have already added your boss – as this rather dim girl had. The boss promptly left a comment pointing out that a) he was gay, b) the ‘shit stuff’ was her job and c) that she was sacked.
Having a private profile, however, is not always the best idea either. Around 50 per cent of hiring managers said that a ‘positive’ profile would make them more likely to take a candidate.
The Careers Service at Sheffield asks students to “ensure that their Facebook pages, if open for public viewing, show them in a positive and favourable light” So, if you’re the type of person with statuses like “If you can believe, you can achieve!”, or “Great brainstorming session today, guys. Go team!” leave your profile open. If you lead a normal life, keep it shut.
But who are these companies, snooping on your Facebook profile? I asked the Careers Service at Sheffield and they knew of no companies who examined Facebook before hiring potential employees. I even called a number of companies in the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers, none of whom admitted to Facebook-stalking future employees.
Yet, evidently, many companies do, even in Sheffield. This summer I applied for two jobs at local bars in Sheffield that were part of the same company. One bar checks Facebook pages before hiring, the other doesn’t. Me scoffing my face with chicken must have put the former off as I didn’t even get an interview; the other gave me a job.
Employers snooping on potential employees are simply a symptoms of a more modern malaise. Facebook has caused the boundaries between people’s work, social and private life to become confused.
What was once private has instead become quasi-public, with comments that you would normally only tell real friends being relayed to hundreds – or even thousands – of virtual friends and potentially millions of stalkers, unless you specifically make them private. The instantness of Facebook generally just creates an orchestra of inanity, but occasionally the thoughtlessness with which we update Facebook can come back to haunt us.
For some, however, the instantness of Facebook isn’t enough. Sites like Twitter have emerged to plug a gap for those desperate to reveal their every waking moment to a collection of friends and ‘followers’. More than 65 million have signed up to Facebook mobile, so they can tell everyone they know (and a few people they don’t) exactly what they are up to at that very second.
And once you’ve started it’s hard to stop. Shilling for opinions on this feature I asked my friends (on Facebook, naturally), if they could live without it.
“I deactivated my account less than 3 weeks ago, and yet here I am commenting on your status – apparently, no” came one comment.
It’s unsurprising that 75 per cent of young people claimed that they could not live without the internet. In the same survey, nearly half admitted that they were happiest when on the internet.
Young people today are Digital Natives. Pretty much everyone under 25 has been surrounded by computers, the internet and instant communication since childhood.
Posting minute details of your life has become the norm, and it has consequences. It’s not surprising that employers have caught on (even if they won’t always admit to it).
You can also read this piece here, at Forge Press.
Related posts:
Hey there, You have done a great job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m sure they are going to be benefited from this internet domain.
I carry on listening to the news update lecture about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i get some?
Im no expert, but I believe you just made a very good point point. You clearly fully understand what youre speaking about, and I can definitely get behind that. Thanks for staying so upfront and so straightforward.
Heya i?m for the primary time here. I came across this board and I in finding It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you aided me.
You are my inhalation, I possess few web logs and infrequently run out from post
. “‘Tis the most tender part of love, each other to forgive.” by John Sheffield.
Aw, this was a very nice post. In theory I would like to write like this additionally – taking time and real effort to make a superb article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never appear to get something done.
I think other web site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and excellent user friendly style and design, let alone the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
I basically knew about a majority of this, but never the less, I still considered it had been practical. Good post!
Yeah this is random, but is basically important. Most of the people eat for pleasure in addition to nutrition. Should your favorite foods are an excellent source of fat, salt or sugar, the bottom line is moderating just how much of the foods consume and how often you take in them.
This is a highly superb write-up. Can I use this on my web page? Also, even though I’m here I’d like to see if you want to check out my webpage about creating revenue on the net. I’m positive there’s some pointers on there that you’d like. Thanks!
Very excellent information can be found on blog . “I can think of nothing less pleasurable than a life devoted to pleasure.” by John D. Rockefeller.
Outstanding post, I think website owners should acquire a lot from this web site its real user friendly. So much great info on here
.
Oh my goodness! an incredible post dude. Appreciate it Even so I will be experiencing issue with ur rss . Don’t know why Can not enroll in it. Could there be any individual discovering identical rss issue? Any person who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site
.
F*ckin’ remarkable things here. I’m very glad to look your post. Thank you so much and i’m taking a look forward to touch you. Will you please drop me a mail?
Hi webmaster, commenters and everyone else !!! The blog was absolutely improbable! Lots of great information and inspiration, each of which all of us need!b Hold ‘em coming… you all do such a terrific job at such Concepts… cannot let you know how a lot I, for one admire all you do!
Immediately after research a handful of from the blog posts on your site now, and I genuinely like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and will probably be checking back soon. Pls check out my internet web page at the same time and let me know what you believe.
It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!
Enjoyed reading through this, very good stuff, thankyou . “Whenever you want to marry someone, go have lunch with his ex-wife.” by Francis William Bourdillon.
Dead pent subject matter, thanks for selective information. “Life is God’s novel. Let him write it.” by Isaac Bashevis Singer.
Attractive section of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get in fact enjoyed account your weblog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing for your feeds and even I achievement you get admission to consistently rapidly.
The symbol should be “THIS COMPANY Won’t MAKE A PROFIT FOR SHAREHOLDERS Since the EASY MONEY HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE BY THE INSIDERS AND NOW THEY NEED A SUCKER To market THEIR SHARES TO.”
Greed, hacker, as well as the banks. Blue Chip? A apple and Google wannabe…Not. My profile on facebook was quite throughout the supper bowl…anyone else noticing this? He’s wanting that payday quick, so can be the banks. Interesting watching this unfold.
Some genuinely prime posts on this website , bookmarked .
I agree with many of your points in this article. I appreciate your well-written content. You’ve made this article more interesting that others I’ve read.
I want to show my thanks to this writer for rescuing me from this particular challenge. Just after surfing around through the internet and coming across advice which are not powerful, I was thinking my entire life was gone. Being alive devoid of the solutions to the problems you’ve fixed by way of your report is a serious case, as well as those that might have in a negative way affected my career if I had not encountered your blog post. Your actual mastery and kindness in controlling almost everything was helpful. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had not come across such a point like this. I can at this time look ahead to my future. Thanks for your time very much for this specialized and sensible guide. I will not think twice to propose your web site to anyone who would like care on this area.
Thank you so much for providing individuals with a very spectacular chance to check tips from this website. It is usually so awesome and also jam-packed with a good time for me and my office mates to visit the blog at minimum thrice a week to study the fresh stuff you have got. And indeed, we’re usually astounded with the beautiful principles served by you. Some 3 ideas in this post are clearly the most beneficial I’ve had.
Good post and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is actually the best place to ask but do you guys have any ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thanks
Definitely believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Hi, I have been quite a lurker on your website and wanted to break my silence. Your post, OMG: Why a status like this could get you sacked, LOL | Lazy Students today was simply awesome.
Somebody essentially assist to make critically posts I’d state. That is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this particular publish amazing. Fantastic activity!
I precisely wanted to appreciate you once more. I am not sure what I would have followed without these methods shown by you over my situation. This was an absolute frustrating difficulty for me, however , finding out the well-written style you resolved the issue forced me to leap over joy. I am just happier for the help and hope you comprehend what a powerful job you are always putting in teaching people via your blog. I’m certain you have never encountered all of us.
That is the proper blog for anyone who needs to know about this topic. You know so much its nearly arduous to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You positively put a brand new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just great!
Great write-up, I?¦m normal visitor of one?¦s web site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Finally, an issue that I’m passionate about. I have regarded for data of this caliber for the last a number of hours. Your site is enormously appreciated.
I am now not sure where you’re getting your information, however good topic. I must spend a while studying more or understanding more. Thank you for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.
Some genuinely nice stuff on this web site , I it. 384790
I’d should check with you here. Which isn’t one thing I usually do! I take pleasure in studying a put up that will make people think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment! swiss t gallery
I have observed that over the course of building a relationship with real estate proprietors, you’ll be able to come to understand that, in each and every real estate deal, a fee is paid. Finally, FSBO sellers do not “save” the commission payment. Rather, they try to earn the commission by doing the agent’s task. In completing this task, they invest their money in addition to time to perform, as best they might, the tasks of an realtor. Those responsibilities include uncovering the home through marketing, presenting the home to willing buyers, constructing a sense of buyer urgency in order to induce an offer, arranging home inspections, dealing with qualification check ups with the financial institution, supervising maintenance, and aiding the closing of the deal.
I have been examinating out some of your stories and i can state pretty nice stuff. I will surely bookmark your blog.
The great thing is you only have to post ONE link! Who can resist?
Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thanks Nevertheless I am experiencing situation with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar rss downside? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
There are some attention-grabbing points in time in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There’s some validity but I will take maintain opinion till I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like extra! Added to FeedBurner as properly swiss t gallery
You’ll be able to certainly see your expertise inside the operate you create. The planet hopes for additional passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go immediately after your cardiovascular system
I definitely wanted to post a small note so as to thank you for all of the stunning secrets you are sharing at this website. My prolonged internet research has at the end been compensated with reliable ideas to exchange with my friends. I would mention that we site visitors actually are rather lucky to be in a superb community with very many lovely people with very helpful advice. I feel rather fortunate to have encountered the webpage and look forward to tons of more cool times reading here. Thanks a lot once again for all the details.Krosterantori
obviously like your web-site but you need to take a look at the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the reality on the other hand I?¦ll definitely come again again.
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Very useful information specially the last part
I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
Enjoy the new layout. I enjoyed this content. Credit for a excellent blog post.
It is amazing for many of us when you find wonderful material available on the net. vodafone number
Wow! This can be one particular of the most useful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Great. I?m also an expert in this topic so I can understand your hard work. 371450