Don't Give Out Your Facebook Password During an Interview!

There has been a lot of press lately about interviewers asking candidates for their Facebook user name and password as part of the background check process. Just a quick sample below - 

Job seekers asked to give Facebook passwords

Would You Give Out Your Facebook Password in a Job Interview?

Employers Claim Feudal Rights Over Facebook Pages

Bosses requiring employees to disclose their social media passwords

So, the question becomes should you give them what they ask for?  After all, you have been out of work for 6 months, and you need the job.

The answer is No, you should not. Facebook is a private networking platform where you communicate with your friends. You wouldn't give your email password out, nor would you allow a prospective employer to tap your phone. That said, it seems not to be illegal - unethical and inappropriate  - but not illegal.

If you are concerned about saying no and not getting hired, here’s an easy out:  Direct the interviewer to Facebook's Terms of use https://www.facebook.com/legal/terms Section 4.8.

You will not share your password, (or in the case of developers, your secret key), let anyone else access your account, or do anything else that might jeopardize the security of your account.

Certainly, the interviewer would not want to ask you to violate a contract, would they?