I feel like many people underestimate how powerful Google actually is. Even for people who have never been on the internet themselves, it is quite possible that Google will affect their lives for better or worse. I just read this article linked from John Battelle's blog. I think it is particularly relevant because many of us in the course will be entering our first real full-time jobs. It also emphasizes the importance of doing a Google vanity search before you apply to these jobs.
The article discusses a ruling in which it was decided that Google background checks are okay. The ruling essentially states that employers can complete their background search on potential, and current employees, via the internet. Since a search does not require communication between parties, it is a valid means for obtaining information on something previously done by said employee. As discussed previously, even if one were to have that internet material removed, Google's cache option would still allow the employer to look at any previous pages.
The best solution? Keep your nose clean, kid.
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2 comments:
what I wondered about is how reliable can the information on google be about people? I mean if you have a comon name like John Smith how can the employers distinguis you John Smith the fully qualified candidate from John Smith the porn star? Plus I don't think that companies should have any say in what people do in their personal lives on their own time.
Yea, I guess in order to have it considered there has to be conclusive evidence that that person is who they are looking up. I think with the case involved, this person's mishaps were directly linked to two previous emloyees that they had listed on their resume, thus making them easily identifiable. While it would be illegal for the previous employer to state explicitly what this gentleman had done, the online information was fair game. As far as personal lives, I don't really think that they should have a say either. However, I think that if an employer read something about, for example, drug use on a person's personal blog, that they would think twice before hiring them - either consciously or subconsciously. People have a natural tendency to pre-judge, and I think that's really why it's important to make sure the internet speaks favorably of you. It might not be fair, but it's how it is, and I guess many of us can do little more but to cater to that environment.
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