Sarah Phillips: Websites Shouldn't Change Hiring Process Because of Scandal

If Sarah Phillips duped ESPN, large websites should not overreact by changing their hiring practices. As the potential scandal unfolds regarding ESPN's hiring and firing of the alleged fraudster, questions about online hiring are sure to arise.

As a person that benefits from online journalism, I offer this perspective: requiring a face-to-face meeting would only add to the sizable task of gaining a position with a reputable site.

Phillips is accused of fabricating her reputation, creating false Twitter accounts and several other deceitful actions to gain her position with ESPN.

Most sites have a central location, if all applicable talent had to make a trip to main headquarters, it could eliminate qualified and legit talent. That would be a shame, and a disservice to the site, the writer, and the readers.

It's not to say writers wouldn't travel across the country for an interview, but for some—it may not be feasible. There are circumstances that could make that travel impossible, or highly inconvenient.

Finances and family dynamics can be two of the biggest factors.

Many people that pursue online journalism do so because of the appeal of working from home. It may allow them to be there for children, go to school online, or they simply don't make as good a representation of themselves in person, as they do through writing. 

A face-to-face meeting is completely irrelevant for a potential employee who will be doing all or the vast majority of their work online.

Meetings in person change the dynamic of the hiring process, and remove some of the appeal of working away from an office—even if it's just for the interview.

If the only reason for the meeting is to confirm identity, there are better ways to do that.

There will always be people that attempt to circumvent systems. Sometimes these attempts can become a widespread issue that forces victimized companies to react.

I don't think we're at that point yet with this kind of issue.

ESPN would simply be flexing its "we're the worldwide leader" muscles, by making widespread changes because of one deceiver.

It is unclear at this point if Phillips falls in the category of the deceitful. But if she is, ESPN would be overzealous to implement new hiring procedures for what would be an isolated incident.

There are more Brian Maziques, Zachary Rymers and Donald Woods in online journalism than there are frauds.

Companies shouldn't impair the path of the genuine, for one bad apple.

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