10 August 2023 , 10:19
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Job interviews are nerve-wracking enough trying to present yourself in the moment - but imagine finding out you didn’t get a position because of what was on your social media. One boss has revealed that they rejected a job candidate because she had adult references on her public social media page, admitting it made them feel uncomfortable seeing “those things discussed publicly”.
However, they've now found themselves in a difficult position as the interviewee wanted to know why she didn’t get the job. Taking to Quora to ask the question and get advice on what they should do next, the employer wrote: “I rejected a job candidate after several interviews because I noticed many adult references on her public social media page. She wants to know why she didn’t get the job. Should I tell her?”
The replies were mixed with many people saying that the onus should be on the candidate to be careful about what she posts on social media but if it wasn’t offensive then the blame was on the recruiter for being a prude. One person wrote: “I live, work, and recruit in the US. This answer proceeds accordingly. This is strictly, wholly, and completely a you problem. And you know that’s the truth too. So she makes adult references. Who cares?”
They ranted on: “Your Puritanism was your problem, but now you are inflicting your problem on someone else, and that’s completely contemptible. If you tell her this is the reason, you are exposing the employer to legal action. Next time, don’t inflict your problems on others.”
Another person added: “Yes. Go ahead and tell her. Explain in full detail you were stalking her on social media, creeping around and then decided that her personal life and what she chooses to do in her spare time affects business and how you’re personally uncomfortable. Definitely tell her, the world revolves around your comfort only.”
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While someone else considered: “I studied in France and here everybody knows to be careful about what you post on social media because a future employer might see it. We are actually taught in university to “clean” your social media so nothing will reflect bad on you as a candidate and for me it makes sense. If you post things on social for people to see, people will see and it will reflect on who you are, for me it’s totally normal that your employer googles you at some point.”
And a fourth person blasted the employer: “Sounds like you wasted her time for nothing and, while she deserves to know the truth, telling her so opens you up to a possible legal case. Unless she voices opinions that hurt or harm others, may suggest she may harm herself, or says anything that may suggest she will not be able to work with others in your company based on gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc, what’s on her social media is none of your business and to suggest as such is wholly inappropriate and crosses a line. Shame on you."