How employers use social media to screen candidates

 

 

 

 

1.   Whether you like it or not, hirers are using social networks to screen job applicants. This means it is important to carefully manage your image on these types of sites.

2.   Facebook and Twitter are being used a lot to screen job applicants. On Facebook and Twitter, we believe hirers are trying to get a more personal view of a candidate, rather than the resume-like view they will see on LinkedIn.

3.   Hirers are looking at the social networking profiles of candidates very early in the process. This means that job seekers need to have their online act in order before they begin looking for a job.

 

• Over 90% of potential employers use social networking sites to screen potential candidates.

• Almost 50% of employers look at your social networking websites upon receiving your application before contacting you.

• The remaining 40% will look at your social networking websites following first contact with you.

• 70% of companies have rejected candidates because of their Social Networking websites.

 

Here is a list of the main items that you need to make sure are not visible on your social networking websites.

 

• Inappropriate Photos

• Inappropriate Comments

• Content posted relating to drinking

• Content posted related to drugs

• Posted negative comments about a previous employer

• Discriminatory comments

• Lying about qualifications

• Shared confidential information regarding to previous employer

 

The good news is that 68% of employers have hired candidates because they have a positive social media presence. Items in your social networking sites that will increase your chances of getting hired are as follows:

 

• Good personality and organisational skills

• Profile supports qualification skills

• Profile shows creativity

• Profile showed solid communication skills

• Candidate had good references posted by others

• Candidate received awards or accolades