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A new study by Harris Interactive shows that 45% of US human resources pros occasionally use social networks to research job candidates:
This must be a good thing, right? Your prospective employer can find out just how sharp of a candidate they’re getting, based upon your digital footprint.
Not so much. According to the study:
The findings were more likely to get candidates rejected than hired: 35% of HR professionals said social networking content had caused them to eliminate a candidate, while only 18% reported deciding to employ someone based on a profile.
The top reasons for rejection were, unsurprisingly, “provocative or inappropriate photographs or information” (53%) and information about drinking or using drugs (44%). But job candidates were also hurt by negative postings about their previous employers, poor communication skills, discriminatory remarks and other faux pas.
The findings underscore just how important reputation management has become in the digital era. While the question of whether a prospective employer should base its decision to hire you based upon your social media footprint remains a hotly-disputed one, it is likely that HR professionals will become more adept in their use of these tools over time, not less. Users of social networks should take basic precautions to ensure that any content which may be deemed embarrassing should either be removed from online networks, or at least safeguarded behind privacy filters.
via Job Candidates Both Hurt and Helped by Social Networks – eMarketer .
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Comments
09.14.09
Social networking sites are meant to be a place where you unwind and connect with friends and family. Allowing a potential employer to access your public profile will present a picture of you that is extremely unprofessional.
http://www.savvysponds.co.uk
09.14.09
I tend to agree with you, Jessica. In a 2009 study, respondents were asked what they would do if they were asked to pull up their Facebook profile in the middle of the interview. Over half of her admittedly self-selected respondents (55%) said they would ask why before agreeing to show their profile. Another 25.4% said they would refuse and 8% said they would simply walk out of the interview, showing how touchy the subject can be.
Just 11.7% of respondents would willingly reveal their profile.
I encourage my friends to make ample use of the numerous privacy filters available on sites like Facebook. They allow you to provide partial access to professional contacts while keeping one's more embarrassing content safely ensconced.
09.14.09
I personally know a couple of recruiters that are using social media sites to at least research potential candidates. The downfall to this from their description is mixing the social media site for business use and personal use. One recruiter learned the hard lessons and seperated the two with different accounts, and the other recruiter is learning those mistakes first hand.
Personally, I use FB for family/friends only, and any NSFW comments from ANYONE, and I hide that person permanently from my profile. I would be willing to pull up my FB profile, but with the understanding that some of my family/friends are not looking out for my best interests when they make their postings. I can certainly understand why some would be embarrassed by what's on their FB pages........
09.14.09
I keep my social networking personal, but employer-friendly. Still, when a prospective employer told me in a recent interview that he had Googled me and found my Twitter feed, I got nervous. To be honest, I hadn't expected him to turn to social media in the screening process. I still harbor the delusion that anyone over about age 35 is clueless about social media and won't bother to use it when hiring. Surprise! Totally wrong on that one.
I was lucky- the employer said he really liked my Twitter feed, and shared it with his colleagues. And now I know for next time that, like it or not, the personal is both political and professional.
09.14.09
With the increase in social media sites/usage, it can be expected that more companies are looking at profiles in order to get to know the candidates better--is this not what social media is for? I personally think that some of your profile should remain private! No one is perfect, but at least when/if you slip up, your friends are the only ones that will see your flaws...not your future employers! Good reminder to myself since recruitment season is starting!
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