If you’re still in denial about whether or not companies are using social media networks to screen prospective employees, you need to watch the following two-minute video infographic that Jason Alba of JibberJobber recently shared. The video is courtesy of CIPHR or Computers in Personnel HR, an HR software company.
Social media screening is real. It’s here, and it’s not going away. The video may be sobering for some. If you are not paying attention to your online profiles and interactions, you need to start doing so immediately.
The take aways* –
- 91% of employers use social media to screen prospective employees.
- 47% of them start screening as soon as an application is received.
- The #1 network used? 76% use Facebook.
- Twitter and LinkedIn (not surprisingly) round out the top three.
- 61% say they have rejected an applicant for social media content for reasons such as: inappropriate photos or comments, references to drinking or drugs, discriminatory comments, comments about past employers, poor communication or lying about qualifications.
On the flipside, reasons a prospective employee is hired because of social media content include: positive impressions of personality, profile supported qualifications or showed good communication skills, creativity, strong professional references, accolades and awards, or a well-rounded personality.
Final thoughts –
As a current or potential job seeker, not only do you need to avoid associating negative material or behaviors with your name at all costs, but you can and should be proactively building and incorporating positive, on-brand content so that when your name is searched and screened, the results are professional, influential and effective.
What to do if you have prior negative content? You may or may not be able to delete it. There are strategies for minimizing it though. Email or call me if you’d like to learn more.
*Survey conducted by Reppler and Lab42 of 300 randomly selected professionals involved in the hiring process.