Kids these days post all kinds of things on their Facebook accounts. While it might be hilarious to post funny but politically incorrect pictures or go on racist rants for the benefit of your friends, these actions may have some very real consequences down the line, like you not being able to get a job. The FCC just gave the green light to a background check company that screens job applicants based on their internet postings, including all relevant social media (Twitter, Facebook and the like). The difference is that once researched, the company stores that data for seven years. Admittedly, Social Intelligence, the company that does the check, will not make the information available other than to the company that requests for the background check. What that means is that every time a potential employer asks for a background check, the company will start from scratch – so if you’ve managed to delete the offending content associated to your account, you’re free and clear.
We’ve always thought that what you post on the internet is an extension of who you are, and companies like Social Intelligence is proving just that. While all of this is happening on the other side of the world, it’s not far-fetched to think that this kind of background check will happen here – who is to say that the multinational company that hires you won’t be using a service like this? So the next time you post that politically incorrect rant about whatever, take a deep breath and think it through. It may be the reason why you’re turned down in the future.
Source: Forbes