You’ve just interviewed “Julie”–a recent college grad–for an entry-level job at your firm. In your interview, she came across as polished, intelligent and charming. She’s got a fantastic GPA from a good school, a great resumé and references that give you the impression that she’ll be running the world someday. You’re thrilled to have met her and are leaning strongly towards hiring her until you fire up your computer and take a look at her MySpace page.
There you find photographs of a different Julie from the one you just met. In one, she’s wearing a revealing skirt and making a kissy face at the camera. In another, she’s dancing on the bar at a local club.
You’re stunned. Why did Julie and her friends put up pictures like this? Do they have any judgment whatsoever? Can you honestly say that you’re prepared to hire someone who looks like such a party girl?
The prevalence of social media today has implications for companies and potential employees alike. The issue has raised questions in the mainstream media and the blogosphere. But what do employers really need to know in order to frame the question?
We’re living in an era where even the most responsible people under 30 are comfortable and feel justified in sharing some of our youthful shenanigans online. We grew up with the Web as a pervasive part of our daily lives, and we look at it as a tool for work and as space to play.
So, what should you do to decide if “Julie” is still worth hiring?
Step 1: Go back and look over her resumé, transcript and references again. Ask yourself, if she were really that much of a party girl, how did she get these amazing grades and manage to impress her professors so thoroughly?
Step 2: Go back over your first impression of her. Was she intelligent and polished during your interview? Did she ask good questions? Did she have good responses to yours? Has she since followed up with a thoughtful note, an e-mail, or a phone call?
Step 3: Think back to your past. When you were Julie’s age, did you ever go out for drinks or dance until the wee hours? Are there people you respect who did similar things when they were in their 20’s and 30’s? Was there ever a similar photo of you posted on the bulletin board in your frat house or residence hall in college?
This last question is the most important, because for people who grew up in the computer age, the social Web is our frat house bulletin board. It’s a pervasive part of our tech-savvy culture, and its not necessarily a bad thing.
So do Julie (and yourself) a favor and put the information you found in context. Remember that it’s possible for most people to separate work and play. Then take a deep breath and go with your gut.
We’ll be talking more about what companies and employees need to know about appropriate use of the social Web at our upcoming Blog Business Summit conference this October.
Update: Diane Ensey has a great response to this post at her Do Real Time blog.
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