Do you think an employer should base hiring decisions on an applicant's internet "life"?

[Macaela25]

This is not a question of legality, but of opinion. Should a potential employer base their decision on an applicant's Facebook, Twitter, blog, or message board posts? As an employer, would you feel entitled to find out if you're hiring a drunk/druggie/partier? As an employee, should your private life be considered totally separate from your work life?

Please post your thoughts!

[434Teresa]

If a employer takes the time to look you up on those place I think they have a right to use info you place there however.

[clippyclippy]

I would think most employers who look up online activity use it only as part of the big picture - and not base a hiring decision solely on an internet profile.

I do believe people can behave differently at work, but if it were my decision to make, I'd take into consideration whatever I learned about a person, either during an interview, on a background check (if needed) personal and professional references, and what might be found online.

[kremsh]

My $.02 here...anyone has access to the internet these days and if you post something on FB or anywhere else, expect the world to be able to see it. If you think it is going to affect you negatively in any aspect of your life, be it a potential job or whatever, don't post it. If you don't care, post away.

[Gnorga]

a highschool teacher got fired here b/c she had picture of her in a bikini and a beer in hand at the beach on facebook. Student found it and I guess it spread all over the school.

[Green is Gold]

When I grow up,(and learn to use a computer). I'm going to make billions of dollars. By coming up with a way to charge 20 and 30 somethings, Big Money to purge the internet of every stupid thing they ever posted. When they were young and knew everything, and it never occured to them that someday they would be looking for a good job. Or that their future selves would someday, have in-laws or children!!! Or that grandma would get an Ipad and learn how to Google!(She'll be so proud!)
That's this old fuddy-duddy's opinion. Not to say I didn't do extremely stupid things when I was young...but you can't PROVE IT!

[Gnorga]

When I grow up,(and learn to use a computer). I'm going to make billions of dollars. By coming up with a way to charge 20 and 30 somethings, Big Money to purge the internet of every stupid thing they ever posted. When they were young and knew everything, and it never occured to them that someday they would be looking for a good job. Or that their future selves would someday, have in-laws or children!!! Or that grandma would get an Ipad and learn how to Google!(She'll be so proud!)
That's this old fuddy-duddy's opinion. Not to say I didn't do extremely stupid things when I was young...but you can't PROVE IT!

we can't prove it b/c they didn't have cell phones with cameras of facebook when you were doing stupid things!

[kremsh]

we can't prove it b/c they didn't have cell phones with cameras of facebook when you were doing stupid things!

Thank goodness for the good ole days!

[Green is Gold]

we can't prove it b/c they didn't have cell phones with cameras of facebook when you were doing stupid things!

!!!EXACTLY!!! You young in's with your new fangled technology!!!

[Gnorga]

When I first saw this thread, I expected it to be about people in the adult film industry. LOL