[Elaine]

I have a second interview with a midtier firm and I was wondering if you guys knew what kind of background checks the accounting firms do in general, and what they can find. I don’t have any criminal record, I have social networking profiles such as facebook (which I keep private from public), aaaaaaand… that’s about it! lol

[Anonymous]

They may run a credit check just to make sure you aren't a theft risk. I've had jobs that did them. Its no big deal.

[Herbieherb]

Google yourself and see what comes up…if there's negative things about you in the first five pages of the search they might look at that

NEW YORK- DONE

[jkey57]

It depends what state you're hired in. Since January 2011, if you're hired in Illinois, you cannot even request a credit check from a prospective employee unless that person is around more than $1k, signs checks, or has access to sensitive company information.

Many people were being denied jobs because of credit issues that were out of their control (medical bills, divorce, death of family), so the unions stepped on the throat of the Gov. to pass this bill.

As far as facebook/twitter goes, I read that prospective employers are requesting for your fb/tw id's AND YOUR PASSWORDS!!! They actually want to go in your accounts!!!!

[rezaking]

jkey57.. actually goin in someones account is illegal. that wont and never happens without cause (id like to know where you read that) this will be an invasion of privacy and the employer can get in a lot of trouble for doing it, so they wont because they dont care that much about one employee.. OP.. if you dont have a criminal record and your accounts are private then you have nothing to worry about.. unless theres something your skipping.

BEC - Passed
REG - 7/21/2012
AUD - 8/18/2012
FAR - 11/10/2012

[jkey57]

@Rezaking This is where I found it….

https://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/20/BUAG1NNHQ2.DTL

[rezaking]

i see what you mean.. they are actually asking the employee for their password during the interview process wow.. if the employee refuses and they arent hired for that reason itll still be an illegal act by the employer. interesting article tho.. never heard of anyone having this experience personally.

to me this whole thing is crazy anyway.. shouldnt employers have more important things to worry about than a few pictures and comments on a social networking website? thats stupid to me that they are even asking for this information.

BEC - Passed
REG - 7/21/2012
AUD - 8/18/2012
FAR - 11/10/2012

[Elaine]

D: That is crazy! I googled myself and the only thing related to me was my LinkedIn profile. Even if they do ask for my password or befriend me, I don't have anything to hide… Vegas pictures, do they count? :p

[jkey57]

Yeah, it's just another hassle during the interview nightmare….

I do fantasy football and my friends are always talking trash on Facebook. The last thing I need is to have an HR manager see 15 vulgar, expletive filled posts talking about how I suck at picking defenses. She'll either think I'm weird for having friends who talk like that, or she'll think I might be too involved with FF which would make me a crappy employee. Neither or these ideas paint a good picture.

Guess I'll just have to unauthorize my account when the time comes…

[rezaking]

dont they understand that we all need to do these things to stay sane. one should not be judged because of a crazy night in vegas or a talking trash with their friends over FF.. these are all normal things.. and i highly doubt those interviewers dont have similar habits… i do FF with my friends too.. its a lot of fun not gona lie haha.. and speaking of vegas, im headed there after work tonight! maybe ill hide those pictures when posted online haha.

BEC - Passed
REG - 7/21/2012
AUD - 8/18/2012
FAR - 11/10/2012

[Author]

Replies