With the increase in the use of technology, sites such as social media have begun popping up rapidly.  Specifically, it has become an issue in the job search of many Americans. Many are seen with inappropriate posts on social media making it difficult to find or keep a job because they are failing the background checks. Business owners are looking more towards these social media sites to see if these potential employees could be an appropriate fit for their companies as well as to see if there was lying in the resume or if their personality is different from paper online. The argument I am looking to make is that it is ethical to check social media pages to ensure that safety of company. By research and looking at real world examples I hope to find out more information on how using social media use during background checks is affecting the job search.

  As a college student myself looking towards different job opportunities, internships, or volunteer work having appropriate information on these social media sites can put these opportunities into my reach. By looking at statistics and real life experiences of many struggling through this issue, the reader can learn more on if their social media page is inappropriate as well as learning skills to make themselves stand out and give the best first impressions when diving into the job market. 

One man, Matt Watson, lost his job due to an inappropriate post he had on his blog The Bitter Barista  about customers and his boss(Lacitis, 2013). He wrote post about his boss saying, "I like to use a loot of big words when I tweet, that way if my boss ever finds my twitter account, he won't understand any of it" (Lacitis, 2013). Watson was outed by two young guys, Zachary Carlsen and Jordan Michelman, who were two young guys obsessed with coffee shops around Seattle,  that found his blog later turning it over to Watson's boss (Lacitis, 2013).   The author of this article Erik Lacitis works for The Seattle Times and has written articles since October 2003 (Lacitis, 2013). The author is bias towards social media having a negative effect on this man This article states the consequences of Watson's actions causing the termination of his employment. Due to his posts on social media, his entire life was affected because he lost his job and could no longer support his family (Lacitis, 2013).

California University of PA posted a lists of do's and don'ts when it comes to social media. The university posted this through the Career and Professional Development Center which would focus on putting student out into the real world  ("How Social Networking Sites Affect Your Job Search.", nd). The center recommends that edit your social media from inappropriate photos and information such as photos with drugs or drinking  ("How Social Networking Sites Affect Your Job Search.", nd).  The center also states what employers are looking for when hiring candidates.  Many employers are looking for well-rounded individuals who have good references as well as good communication skills  ("How Social Networking Sites Affect Your Job Search.", nd). Along with the dos of social media the university also describes why candidates were not hired. After being screened, if potential employees lied about their resume or were caught talking badly about previous employers then their chances of being hired decrease  ("How Social Networking Sites Affect Your Job Search.", nd).  The goal of this article was to help students put their best foot forward when applying to job opportunities.

Jeff Lipschultz has been helping many potential candidates looking for job as a founding member of A-List Solutions which is an employment consulting company that helps potential employees find jobs (Lipschultz, nd). Lipschultz had an interview with Self Magazine and explained what really happens with potential employers when they search your social media sites.   Lipschultz explains that the hiring managers will use any information they can find on you when deciding whether or not to hire you (Lipschultz, nd). This mean that these managers can see what your friends are putting on their social media whether or not you wanted it to be found.  Also, employers do not just look at the past couple months of your social media. Most employers will go back in history to see if there is a negative correlation or history that would change you from your resume (Lipschultz, nd).  However, Lipschultz states that employers would like potential candidates with social media but he is looking for these pages to have no inappropriate information (Lipschultz, nd). Overall, the author just wants us to think before we put stuff on social media and wonder "would my next boss approve" (Lipschultz, nd). 

Overall, there have been many disagreements on whether or not employers should be allowed to check social media pages making this topic very kairotic. With more employers looking towards social media to see what potential candidates are like out of the office, we know that social media searching is a growing issue. The goal of this research paper is to help college students or adults looking for jobs put their best foot out there when it comes to their social media and learn what employers are searching for prove that they are searching. I think this is a great topic for a research and look forward to continue my research on the ethics behind checking social media pages and why it should be done to hit my word limit and argue why social media pages should be checked.

