Why aren't you hired? Blame your social media?
7/10 employers admit to checking a job candidate's social media as a part of their hiring process, according to the result of 1000 interview CarrierBuilder made with hiring managers.
Of those who conduct a social media scan / screening, 57% say they found out some sort of content that caused them not to hire a candidate. So the results show that hiring managers and employers make a decision based on what they see in applicant's social media content.
Having said that having a social media isn't a prerequisite for being hired, viewers of applications appreciate having more information about a potential hire. They view their social media in order to understand if the applicant fits the company culture.
What interviewed employers are looking for when checking a candidate's social media:
• Information on candidate’s job qualifications (58%)
• Candidate’s professional online persona (50%)
• What content other netizens are posting about the candidate (34%)
• Any possible reason not to hire the candidate (22%)
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Content that could cause employers not to hire a candidate
Inappropriate photos, videos or information (40%)
Information about a candidate’s drinking or drug use (36%)
Discriminatory comments related to race, gender, religion and other sensitive issues (31%)
Information linked to criminal behaviour (30%)
Lying about qualifications (27%)
Poor communication skills (27%)
Bad mouthing a previous employer or fellow employees (25%)
Having an unprofessional screen name (22%)
Shared confidential information from previous employer (20%)
Lying about an absence (16%)
Posting frequently on social media (12%)
Content that helped convince employers to hire a candidate
Information supporting candidate’s job qualifications (37%)
Candidate’s creativity (34%)
Candidate’s site conveying a professional image (33%)
Information showing candidate’s wide range of interests (31%)
Information showing candidate is a good fit within the company culture (31%)
Having great communication skills (28%)
Awards and accolades (26%)
Other social media users posting great references about the job candidate (23%)
Interactions with the company’s social media accounts (22%)
Compelling video or other content (21%)
Large number of social media followers or subscribers (18%)