Screening Employees with Facebook / MySpace

More and more employers are using social networks as part of the hiring process:

“…The study found that the number of hiring managers that are turning to social networks like MySpace and Facebook to delve into candidates’ online behavior is increasing quickly: Some 22% of employers said they already peruse social networks to screen candidates, while an additional 9% said they are planning to do so. Only 11% of managers used the technology in 2006.”

link: One in five employers uses social networks in hiring process

Perhaps a future presidential candidate is posting on MySpace or Facebook. - When the Los Angeles Lakers drafted Andrew Bynum, he had been a high school student. Like a great number of high school students, Andrew Bynum had a candid social network space. Within days, Andrew Bynum’s page was removed. However, with cache and archive services, postings really never disappear. - MySpace, Facebook and other online services may provide unique insights of future presidential candidates.

Catherine Forsythe