Do programs google applicants?

[dusselas]

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I did a search of SDN and can't find the answer. Just wanted to know if anyone knows if residency programs use google to find further info about applicants?

 

[NYRN]

I did a search of SDN and can't find the answer. Just wanted to know if anyone knows if residency programs use google to find further info about applicants?

I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Nowadays employers facebook search and google people. I think it would be a good idea for people to google search themselves, clean up anything negative and make sure their facebook profile is as private as they come.

 

[faw20]

Do you seriously want to risk it? Just take down the incriminating evidence on your facebook/myspace/twitter page(s).

 

[dusselas]

My question isn't related to Facebook at all; I'm not on it, nor Twitter, etc. In fact, I didn't even think of that when I posted the question. The question came when I googled my name and saw news accounts of my family, my undergraduate yearbook photo, undergrad activities, and my research publications. Not all my activities are mentioned on my CV, so I was wondering if programs might google me and then later ask me about them or if they would wonder why they're not mentioned in my application?

 

[OldPsychDoc]

My question isn't related to Facebook at all; I'm not on it, nor Twitter, etc. In fact, I didn't even think of that when I posted the question. The question came when I googled my name and saw news accounts of my family, my undergraduate yearbook photo, undergrad activities, and my research publications. Not all my activities are mentioned on my CV, so I was wondering if programs might google me and then later ask me about them or if they would wonder why they're not mentioned in my application?

If you leave them off and they do ask you, they I guess you've learned that they do google you.

But frankly, if the news reports don't involve criminal activity, we won't care.
Ditto for the yearbook pictures, undergrad activities, and any research activity that wasn't significant enough for you to put on your CV in the first place.

 

[taurus70]

LOL! Actually, I was at an interview last year where the PD turned his laptop around and showed me how my home looked like on Google Earth. I think the look on my face said everything before I recovered and nonchalantly remarked, " that's it allright."

 

[ResidentMD]

LOL! Actually, I was at an interview last year where the PD turned his laptop around and showed me how my home looked like on Google Earth. I think the look on my face said everything before I recovered and nonchalantly remarked, " that's it allright."

Awesome 🙂

 

[notinkansas]

LOL! Actually, I was at an interview last year where the PD turned his laptop around and showed me how my home looked like on Google Earth. I think the look on my face said everything before I recovered and nonchalantly remarked, " that's it allright."

I find this disturbing.

That said, I have read that the majority of companies google job applicants and check social media sites during the hiring process. Moral: don't put anything on facebook or anything else that you wouldn't want the world to see. And it's probably a good idea to google yourself periodically and see what comes up. I've also started using getting my mail at a mailbox place instead of where I live. It's handy for several reasons: they sign for and keep packages secure until I can pick them up. And people who search my address won't find where I live- which provides and extra safety measure.

 

[peppy]

I can confirm that one of the programs at the place where I am a resident does indeed google applicants and try to see their facebook pages. I'm pretty sure all they are looking for is signs of unprofessionalism, not really interested in anything else.

 

[Flopotomist]

I rather hope they google my name, somebody with my same name (that is not me) has done some rather impressive things!

 

[thedrjojo]

our OBGYN clerkship director says she googles all the students before the clerkship...

I was facebook friends with a few residents at the program I matched at, so if they really had issues with me/it, i guess I wouldn't have matched there...

 

[OldPsychDoc]

LOL! Actually, I was at an interview last year where the PD turned his laptop around and showed me how my home looked like on Google Earth. I think the look on my face said everything before I recovered and nonchalantly remarked, " that's it allright."

I am TOTALLY doing this next interview season!

 

[DrJosephKim]

Yes, I've spoken to several programs that have told me that this is happening more often. Plus, they're looking on Facebook.

 

[mickey1t]

Not related to the interview trail, but i recently purchased a car, and while waiting to hear back from the bank the dealer told me, "don't worry, I googled ur house and there is no way they wont approve you"...talk about creepy!