Why Hirers Use Social Media to Screen Candidates

Why Hirers Use Social Media to Screen Candidates

Supervisors in IT are most likely to turn to social media and search engines for research and details that support (or eliminate) whether a candidate is a good fit.

60% of employers are using social network sites to research job candidates, up from 52% who reported doing the same last year.

59% use search engines to research candidates, up from 51% who said they did this last year.

41% said they are less likely to interview candidates if they’re unable to find information about that person online, up from 35% last year.

76% of hiring managers in the IT industry use social media to screen candidates—most of any sector.

60% of employers who use social networking sites to research job candidates are looking for information that supports these applicants’ qualifications for the position.

53% of these hirers want to see if the candidate has a professional “online persona.”

30% are looking to call up what other people are posting about the candidate.

21% admit that they’re looking for reasons to not hire the candidate, and 49% said they’ve found information that caused them to not hire someone.

Provocative/inappropriate photos, videos or information: 46%, Indications about the candidate drinking or doing drugs: 43%, Discriminatory comments related to race, religion, gender: 33%, Candidate bad-mouthing of previous/current company or fellow employees: 31%, Poor communications skills: 29%

Background information that supports job qualifications: 44%, A professional image: 44%, Personality conveying a “good fit” with company culture: 43%

18% of workers check out hiring managers on social media while job hunting.