Carerbuilder has released survey results from 2,000+ hiring managers and HR pros about if and how they are using social media profiles for researching candidates.
I really wish these surveys used different language as I bet the results would change a bit.
For example, rather than say are hiring managers researching candidates it should be are hiring managers sourcing/recruiting candidates or are hiring managers using social media profiles as a background check.
These are very, very different things.
In the former... my guess is most managers are using social media sites to recruit.
In the latter... my guess is some managers are looking for “stuff” (good or bad) about those who have applied.
The former includes people into the process and on occasion the latter excludes people.
Anyway...
Results from the survey are:
37% use social networking sites to research job candidates
15% do not, against company rules
11% do not but plan to start
In 2009 45% said they used social media to screen job candidates.
Once again I question “screen”... in or out? Both?
When asked why they use social networks to conduct background research, hiring managers stated the following:
65% To see if the candidate presents himself/herself professionally
51% To see if the candidate is a good fit for the company culture
45% To learn more about the candidate’s qualifications
35% To see if the candidate is well-rounded
12% To look for reasons not to hire the candidate
34% of hiring managers who currently research candidates via social media said they have found information that has caused them not to hire a candidate:
49% Candidate posted provocative/inappropriate photos/info
45% There was info about candidate drinking or using drugs
35% Candidate had poor communication skills
33% Candidate bad mouthed previous employer
28% Candidate made discriminatory comments related to race, gender, religion, etc
22% Candidate lied about qualifications
29 % said they have found something that has caused them to hire a candidate:
58% Good feel for candidate’s personality
55% Conveyed a professional image
54% Background information supported professional qualifications
51% Well-rounded, showed a wide range of interests
49% Great communication skills
44% Candidate was creative
34% Other people posted great references about the candidate
Which sites are being used:
65% Facebook
63% LinkedIn
16% Twitter
I question the above too. With most Facebook profiles being private how much bad or good stuff is really being found?
Click Thirty-seven percent of companies use social networks to research potential job candidates, according to new CareerBuilder Survey to see the methodology used and for a quotes.
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