Not being hired because of social media posts is not #lit.
Millennials and those who have grown up using Twitter, Facebook and other social media services are entering into a new stage in their lives– the job hunting part.
Most are now reaching an age where they can apply for jobs. This brings about its own stresses but one of the biggest stresses is the possible role the applicant’s social media account will have on whether they get the job or #nah.
According to a recent study “1 in 10 young job hunters were rejected because of their social media”. It is understandable if a person writes something incredibly racist, sexist or nativist and the application is set aside for additional screening. Once deemed potentially inappropriate and the applicant meets all the requirements for an interview an in-person examination of their statements should be made and o if the interviewer determines the comments made were not as serious when explained, the person should not be barred from an equal opportunity to compete for the job.
This is an ideal situation and one many hope will come to fruition as Millennials move up and start making the hiring decisions. Until then, employers need lessons on how to handle potential employees whose social media life is older than their driver’s license.
At one time, adolescent mistakes were left in the past. Now, however, thoughts from a pimply brace-faced seventh grader are now held to the same standard as those made by mature adults. The only thing seventh graders know for certain, is which silly band has the most #swag not the complex ways words on a screen can be misinterpreted.
Applying for a job has always entailed putting forth the best version of one’s self. Now not only must applicants polish their résumés, but they must also take special precautions to weed out potential landmines on their various social media accounts.
The right to freely express one’s self was vital in the founding of this country and should not be encroached upon unless absolutely necessary for the common good. The fear employers will troll for potential negative content or language should not be a constant threat in the minds of people who live in the most open and inclusive American generation.
Work policies should embrace the talent, expertise and perspectives Generation Y can offer in the work place. Millennials are open minded as a result of the exposure to the many different ways of thinking that occur on social media.
Allowing the creativity fostered on social media to fester beneath a false pretext of who Millennials are is not something forward thinking companies should embrace or tout as best working practices.
Garrett Hines is a HOW OLD political science senior from Monroe, Louisiana. He can be reached on Twitter @garrettH_TDR.