Facebook pages as writing samples

DEAR CRABBY: I am outraged that employers would want to access the Facebook pages of potential employees.  How many rules of etiquette are they breaking?  --Online and outraged

DEAR ONLINE: None.  An employer wants to know as much about a potential employee as they possibly can, as they should.  They are most likely about to make a big investment of time and money, and profoundly impact their work environment.  They want a good match, and you should too.  The more information they have, the better the chance that there will be a good match between employer and employee.  In addition to having real reasons, they aren’t seeking access to your diary.  They want to access something you write so others will see it.  Sure, in many cases you don’t make it public to everyone, but you make it public to somebody.  So, you should have enough judgment to avoid saying anything stupid, hateful, or criminal.  If you didn’t, or you just don’t want them to see it, get a different job.  You might also try writing letters, or e-mail, when you have something personal to say.