The Internet has completely changed the way we socialize, with Facebook and Twitter leading the way. It has also changed the way companies hire. Whether you’re looking for a job or already in the workforce, it pays to remember that hiring managers, coworkers and potential bosses are checking out your profiles and online activity.
According to a recent CareerBuilder survey:
- 37 percent of companies say they use social networking sites to research job prospects.
- Of the employers who don’t use social networking sites to get information on candidates, 15 percent say it’s because their company prohibits the practice.
- Eleven percent report they don’t use social media now, but plan to start using it for screening.
Where are hiring managers and recruiters looking? How are they using social media to research candidates, and what should you—and shouldn’t you—post on your social media profiles if you want to get hired?
Here’s a breakdown of the most popular social media sites that employers check:
- Facebook 65%
- LinkedIn 63%
- Twitter 16%
- Other 17%
Employers say they’re using social media to dig deeper than a traditional interview. What are they looking for?
- Whether the candidate presents himself/herself professionally 65%
- Whether the candidate is a good fit for the company culture 51%
- More about the candidate’s qualifications 45%
- Whether the candidate is well-rounded 35%
What online information could be costing you a job? More than one-third of hiring managers reported that the following discoveries led to a candidate not getting hired:
- Candidates posted provocative or inappropriate photos or information 48%
- Evidence of candidate drinking or using drugs 45%
- Candidate had poor communication skills 35%
- Candidate bad-mouthed previous employer 32%
- Candidate made discriminatory comments related to race, gender, religion or other topic 28%
- Candidate lied about his or her qualifications 22%
On the other hand, nearly one-third reported that some discoveries led to them extending a job offer:
- They got a good feel for the candidate’s personality 58%
- Candidate conveyed a professional image 55%
- Background information supported candidate’s professional qualifications 54%
- Candidate was well-rounded and showed a wide range of interests 51%
- Candidate had great communication skills 49%
- Candidate was creative 44%
- Other people posted great references about the candidate 34%
If you think your social media profile doesn’t matter, you’re fooling yourself. In an increasingly competitive job market, your public identity is as important as your skill set. Take a look at your social media profiles and activity and remove anything that will portray you in a negative light.
For more help with how to put your best foot forward when searching for a job, talk to the experts at Springborn Staffing. We can help you present all of the right information to potential employers and let them see the value you’d bring.