What to do if a Recruiter Asks for your Facebook Password
Recruiters are increasingly interested in the social media activities of potential candidates – and that means that you may be confronted with an unexpected request at your next interview. A number of high profile cases have raised the issue in the popular press, and social media enthusiasts are starting to think carefully about what to do if they are asked to give a recruiter a Facebook password.
Respond in the right way
As suggested in a recent article byMashable, there are various professional ways to say no, without being blunt or defensive. Raise the issue of personal privacy in the right way. Direct your interviewer to your LinkedIn profile as a demonstration of your professional approach. Make a distinction between your personal social media account and professional time. Above all, ensure that your answer is prepared before you go into the interview to prevent being shocked and lost for words.
Quote Facebook policy
In the face of high-profile cases, where individuals have been asked to give employers access,Facebook has respondedassertively to make it clear that it does not believe that employers have the right to do so. Indeed, the site is warning that it may take legal action against those employers that decide they need to see your personal profile. If a recruiter asks you to reveal your personal details, then you could simply respond that you believe this to be a violation of the site terms and conditions. Use the scenario to demonstrate your approach to personal data security and policy – something that any employers should value.
Evaluate your priorities
Remember that a job interview is as much about you evaluating an employer as it is about you being assessed for a role. If a recruiter asks you to disclose personal information of this nature, you should evaluate the situation and decide whether this is an opportunity that you want to progress. If an employer wants to examine your personal life in this much details at this stage, it's probably a sign that this won't be a fantastic professional relationship and now might be the time to bow out. Politely decline the request and withdraw from the recruitment process.
Managing your career is important but there are other issues to consider too. A job interview is a good opportunity for you to consider what it might be like to work for an employer. A request to disclose personal details of this nature is not a good sign and it might be a good time to move on.
