Should Internet Activities & Social Networking Be Subject to Disclosure for Jobs?

It'd be one thing to review an applicant's Facebook/MySpace page and see what they put out in public. But to read their personal messages would be like reading someone's mail or listening to their voicemail.

They crossed a line by asking for account passwords. In fact, that sounds so preposterous that I question whether it's actually true. However, what you put out for general public consumption is fair game IMO, if it can be linked back to you. And if you have accounts that can't be linked back to you, then I think it's perfectly within your rights to "forget" about them on the application, if you know what I mean.

I guess you could delete anything that you wanted to keep private. But you shouldn't have to do that. And as far as the legality of this goes, that might depend on what happens to the content they peruse, and what they consider unacceptable and acceptable.

But as far as material that is publicly viewable, like posting on AGM, that's fair game to view. But again, what is considered unacceptable and what is acceptable? If you swear a lot on a message board, should that be grounds for denying an application? If you're one of the people obsessed with being "first" to comment, does that mean you're crazy or hard working?

As an anonymously soon to have this IP banned comment contributor of AGM all I can say is far more than is neccessary (cue:canned laughter)... I mean, Bozeman is a beautiful town and certainly a center for edumacated individuals. The story could be real, be fake or as it seems... merely interesting.

If a prospective employer thinks your on-line activities makes a difference in whether to hire or you or not, you probably weren't worthy of the position nor in line for a positive experience as their employee in the first place.

It's a tough world out there for people seeking gainful employment and employers know that. They want to pick the cream of the crop by any means neccessary. Unfortunately many of these employers overthink the process and probably don't realize they are over-stepping the bounds of gracefulness in doing so. They all want an insight into who they are leeching the life and spirit out of...

Anyone who thinks an "online personna" can be measured by the words they assemble and direct at total strangers doesn't have a firm grip on reality. For some people... (cough, cough... me) like to, !nay! ENJOY mocking, confusing and ridiculing "know it alls", the nanosemanticationists and those in need of always having the last word. Right and wrong are a perspective and your points for being "right" aren't worth you being a turd. But it is worth me calling you one just so you know you're not the only one who thinks it.

I only cause general mayhem online because 1) it's fun, 1b) I damn near pee my pants laughing at the way people react to the stupidest bullshit because they can't control everything in the world and 2) my wife has heard it all already and I don't need to be "nice" to people who I am not sharing a bed, most meals and two children. I once wrote a sentence in the middle of one of these monologues that made perfect sense, was mildly funny and caused gorgeous women to get spontaneously naked in the reader's presence and no one read it! Not my fault.

Then again, WAY too many people seem to make the internet into something WAY more serious than it really is - for them it's an escape. They try to be what they aren't because they can't dare face the reality that is waiting for them off-line... I don't understand it myself being so happy with who and what I am (like I have a choice to 'not be happy'!), but it's pretty obvious it's quite popular amongst the self-unrealized...

BTW - true story: I've already been turned down from a job because an employer found some "iffy" material attached to my real name in a google search. (No hard feelings, Tyrone!)

What could you possibly spew on this website in particular that would cause your future employer to reject your application for employment? The barbs thrown around here are never that poisonous.