It is common for companies to collect personal information from applicants such as their interests, pastimes, and marital status. While some believe collecting such information is important, others do not share the same opinion. I think sharing private details as such is useful for both the applicants and employers. In this essay, I will discuss how people perceive gathering of such details and provide my views.
Personal information provides an overview of the areas where the applicant’s interests lie in besides their work. This helps employers in assigning appropriate role to the candidate. For instance, the preference of an applicant to play in a team sport could indicate that they could be a good team player. Furthermore, details like marital status lets the employer go over the work shifts that can be allotted. Also, based on the hobbies of the employees, an organization can arrange events to increase employee engagement.
On the other hand, sharing private details may cause bias. An employer might prefer people who exhibit interests that align with their own. This dismisses the chance of a fair shot at the job opportunity. It could give rise to a clash in ideologies resulting in unfair dismissal. However, in most cases this does not hold true. Many companies have proved that their recruitment process only considers the skills and performance of the candidate.
It is evident from all discussion that both views carry strength and significance. Nonetheless, I believe that while there is a risk of partiality, sharing individual details is crucial for an organization to know a potential employee’s personality and contemplate a role best suited for them coupled with their technical skills.
