In the age of social media, job hunting has transformed dramatically. Companies often dig into applicants’ online profiles to vet their suitability, which can be reasonable in some contexts. However, one company took this scrutiny to an alarming and inappropriate level. They publicized a bikini photo from an applicant’s Instagram account along with a condescending message that sparked outrage.
Meet Sarah Lane
Sarah Lane, a 24-year-old from Austin, Texas, recently submitted an application for a marketing coordinator internship at the firm Bold Minds. Upon completing her online application, she was instructed to follow the company’s Instagram account for an edge over other candidates. This is where she discovered a photo of herself in swimwear that had been shared on her own profile, accompanied by a patronizing note: “PSA (because I know some of you applicants are peeking at this),” they wrote over her image. “Avoid sharing your social media with potential employers if you have this type of content. I’m looking for a professional marketer—not a beach model.” Another line read, “Feel free to do your thing in private, but this won’t help you land a serious job.”
Can you believe the nerve? This is completely out of line!
Ironically, the company was established and largely managed by women, and they claim to be dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs. Yet here they were, tearing down another woman.
Public Outcry
Fuming, Lane shared the screenshot of her bikini photo and the accompanying shaming text with the Twitter account @SheRatesDogs, which focuses on showcasing the harassment women face online. The tweet read, “This girl applied for an internship at a company, and they posted this bikini shot on their company Instagram, publicly stating they wouldn’t hire her because of it.”
After Lane’s story gained traction online, Bold Minds felt the backlash, leading them to shut down their website and social media. CEO Lisa Harrington explained to Yahoo! In The Know that they faced death threats and harassment as a result of the incident. She mentioned, “We didn’t communicate to her that she was disqualified. Just yesterday, she expressed interest in the position after that post.”
Lane felt compelled to speak out after the company blocked her for requesting the removal of her photo. Harrington claims they took it down after Lane sent her resume again alongside her request. “I didn’t tag the company until they blocked me,” Lane clarified. “I’m not sure if they removed it right away.”
She believes the phrase “best of luck in your job search,” included in their response, indicated they were dismissing her application. “I asked them to take it down three times, and they implied I was disqualified,” she noted. “Their actions suggested that my bikini photo factored into their evaluation of my application.”
Lane never expected her application would be used to ‘educate’ others about job-seeking etiquette. Thankfully, after her experience went viral, she received immense support from the online community.
Moving Forward
Despite the ordeal, Lane asserts she won’t change how she shares on social media for future job prospects. “I don’t plan on altering my posting habits,” she said. As of now, the company has not reached out to her post-incident.
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In summary, the incident highlights the dangers of social media scrutiny in the hiring process, particularly when it leads to public shaming. It raises vital questions about professionalism and the judgment of applicants based on personal choices.
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