A Job Interviewer Asked for You Facebook Password? Next Time, Tell 'em This! By Richelle Moore

Recently it is come to the attention of the masses that some employers are requesting applicant's social networking login credentials. Mostly their asking for Facebook account information & although it may appear a bit invasive, I can understand why companies would need this information.

Ok, give it some thought. You own a company, you are an employer of hundreds or possibly thousands of people & you have a brand to protect. What happens when your customer surfs the net, notices a half-naked pic or disagreeable comment exchange on a thread? Well some people may click through to the profile. & there it is... Your worker, ass bare in a pic with over 1000 tags, shares & likes & right underneath their butt print, shimmering from the camera flash is your companie's name as their place of employment. Are you able to imagine? I can. OH-EM-GEE, I cannot!

Now y'all know some folks can be actual "extra" on their Facebook accounts. Everyone has an FB mate who is the "angry activist" all of us know the "new age self-righteous" FB mate, & my favourite "Anita FAKER" who claims to be doing something but usually does nothing but discuss doing something. Then there is "crazy drunk party" girl or man & the "political know it all" who has a opinon . Let's say your Facebook persona can precede you.

So let's look at this from the point of view of an employer. When you went on your last interview did you Google the company? Do you think they Googled you? They probably did. Keep in mind, you are always branding yourself & even in the event you THINK your page is private you still need to conduct yourself on Facebook as if you are in public because, well, you are.

So how do you reply to the query, "may I have your Facebook username & password"? Well, this can be handled in a few ways. You can give it to them (not recommended). You can change your Facebook user name & when asked, you can basically tell them you do not have a Facebook account. You can generate a second "phantom" user account where you brand yourself for the career/job you need (recommended) & that is the user name & password you can give them. Alternatively, you can reply to the query, this way,

Now employers have a chance to find out what they are getting themselves in to with employees. Am I the only that is on lovely behavior until after the first 90 days & the insurance kicks in? I didn't think so. However, employers also must protect their brand from the host of Facebook stalkers, liars, & public nuisances that may smear their company picture.

Now, this answer has not been tested so I cannot be sure it will work in all situations but as an employer I'd like to work with anyone who will offer a win-win-win solution. I'd think like- "that's the approach (s)he'll take while on the job. Not a Yes or NO but a actual solution, suitable for all involved parties." This approach would be beautiful in a customer support or sales applicant. I need to work with anyone who is confident to try to find the sweet spot without giving away the farm, theirs or mine. After all, in case you cannot protect yourself & your privacy how am I able to expect you to protect my company through hard circumstances? I cannot...

"I understand why you would need that information. As a company you have a brand to protect & you don't need someone posting things in public that have nothing to do with XYZ, Inc. that may tarnish your brand. I recognize that when a person lists their employer on their Facebook account they are looked at as a company representative by Facebook users & there's A LOT of Facebook users. Well, Tim (Tim is the interviewer) I'd like to protect both of us. I need to protect my privacy & your company brand. Would it make you feel better if I told you that I would be willing to agree in writing not to list this company on my Facebook profile as an employer, on acceptance of the position? I'd even be willing to agree not to disclose any information about the company in comments & on my timeline."

Articles was adopted  from a written Richelle Moore  from The MPower Movement