by Jessica Sabbath

Could YouTube and Google become more important HR tools than resumes and references?

Responding to a question about whether Dr. Eman Omeish had been vetted before his appointment to a state immigration commission, Gov. Tim Kaine’s spokesman Kevin Hall told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that Omeish was thoroughly vetted, but nobody knew about his videos condemning Israel.

“Needless to say,” Hall added. “YouTube will become a part of the vetting process.”

Omeish, chief of general surgery at INOVA Alexandria Hospital, resigned Thursday from the Commission on Immigration after Kaine was made aware of the videos on a monthly radio show. After reviewing the videos, Kaine suggested Omeish resign and he agreed.

In this digital age, YouTube, Google and social networking sites seem to be becoming even more important research tools for candidates, government appointees and employee hires. They can often reveal much more about employee or appointment candidates than the standard resume.