Who Is G O_o gling You?

This is a short article I wrote in reference to the power of Google.

Imagine it’s your first day at a new job. You’re running late and your hair is out of whack. As you run in, you grab your seat and find a note from your boss saying he wants to see you. Chills run down your spine as you enter his office and he politely asks you to shut the door. You shut the door and take a seat directly opposite him. He looks at you, looks back at his computer monitor, and looks at you and back. This goes on for a few minutes until finally, he says, “Sarah, I had no idea you were into that kind of thing” as he turns the monitor toward you revealing a picture of you and your ex from three summers ago posing for a nude art painting in Strasbourg. What’s worse is that this company prides itself on its high morals and great business ethics. Suddenly, your boss says, “We’re going to have to let you go, I’m very sorry.”

How did your boss find these god-awful photos and/or paintings of you? Simple. He “Googled” you.

It’s becoming more and more commonplace to Google someone and find out anything you may or may not want to know about your friends, neighbors or co-workers. Social networks such as Facebook, Myspace and Twitter are also playing a huge role in finding out anything you want to know about a person. Prospective employers can read everything they want to know and potentially contact your friends and previous co-workers before you even arrive for an interview! As an article in the Wall Street Journal recently stated*, employers are relying more and more on social networks to find out more about a potential candidate than what’s on their application or resume. With resources such as LinkedIn and Jobster, employers are able to pry into your business without interrupting theirs.

 

Unfortunately on average, 50 million times a day, someone is “Googled”**. Any information you may or may not have posted about you could appear on anyone’s computer screen in a matter of mere seconds.  Anything anyone has posted true or untrue could potentially pop up on your future employer's screen. If you have any enemies, God only knows what they could have posted about you on the Internet!

So, the question is, should employers be able to Google prospective/current employees or not? If so, could this be an invasion of privacy?

 

I am a huge believer in the “rule of threes”. If you’ve never heard of this rule, let me explain. The “rule of threes” is simply this: if three completely unrelated resources have the same thing to say about you, then it must be true. Now, although this rule could have its faults, generally, it’s true. I believe that it’s perfectly all right to Google someone and find out information or learn more about a person by using any resources possible, but should this information be used against them or keep the person from employment? I am not so sure.

 

As stated in my earlier example, Sarah had pictures that someone posted on the internet from three years prior to her current position and yet, the employer used them as an excuse to fire her. Countless other people have been sent “Dear John” letters before even getting an interview due to harmful information leaked on the Internet!

“Googling” people on the Internet is becoming commonplace today. Employers can and have used this information to decide on candidates, and countless other people have access to your personal information as well. Although it is definitely an invasion of privacy, Google and other search engines like it aren’t going to go away. Lesson? Be careful what you post on any websites! Your future boss could be watching.

 

*http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119085046508840665.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

 

**http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/15336943/detail.html

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Reviews

[aj milton]

I think people are becoming more aware of the reality that you highlight.

And some of us go the opposite extreme... I don't have a personal facebook account not even for real friends and family. I write under a pen name. I dont use LinkedIN even at work..

Who am I? Do I really exist? Help! I'm invisible

[The Iron Horseman]

No, you're not! They can track you by your TCPIP address or your MacID if they are prepared to make the effort.

[aj milton]

OMG - who are "They" ?

Seriously though you are perfectly right, but it is possible to limit ones online footprint. I am serious in the sense that if I google my real name, none of the first 100 responses are anywhere near me. Even if I add a location within 10 miles of my real home address Google still can't find me! That's damage limitation.

[The Iron Horseman]

I agree with you there. That is precisely why I use a pseudonym. I just wanted you to be aware that you are not as invisible as you might think!

[Ashwin Shanker]

I really enjoyed reading this article... The opening para was a fantastic hook and I was drawn immediately to the topic. You then substantiated the situation with relevant information well researched and presented. Keep writing more like this

[Cecelia A. Green]

Wow. Now I'm worried I post so much s**t on the internet!

[Sam]

Waaaa! That's crazy thanks for the info!

[MaximumFlight]

This brings up a fair point. Should they or should the not be able to Google their employees. While most information is not private by any means on the internet, some things are planted and can be misleading.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right dear friend. No secrets on the internet. Wise advice. Post what you want to be seen. Thank you Anastasia for sharing your words and thoughts. You shared great advice.
Coyote

[andrew mitchell]

Epic write, how interesting on invasion of privacy. Well done!

[W1STER1A]

That's fascinating how invasive companies can be. I had no idea it was legal to discriminate on hiring based solely on what employers find online... This is part of why I have no social media aside from websites like this.

[Giulia King]

You can't trust the internet or people behind their computer screens. I think that's why it's so important to be careful and use another name on here. Can't use my real name here, but I have googled myself and *knock on wood* nothing really came up haha.
Girls take provocative pictures of themselves and post it, thinking that it's easy to just delete it and it will be gone. I just wish they were smarter. This article is a great discussion starter. Well done, Ana.

[pia]

Lol if u google my name
It ends up showing you pictures and information for a Pakistani Airline company
Pakistan international airlines (note the initials) pretty funny
But yes its something really serious. One must be careful of the information you share online or what you post !!

[Giulia King]

I'm sorry but I laughed so much reading this lol

[pia]

Ahahahahah it is funny !!!