Thanks to Social Media, New Survey Reveals Employers Discover Reasons Not to Extend Job Offers

By now we all know the importance of cleaning up our social media profiles since it's not uncommon for recruiters and hiring managers to search but a new survey seconds that notion. In fact, CareerBuilder's new study shows that a questionable profile can cost job seekers the potential job. Reflecting an increase from last year's survey, more than two out of five hiring managers who actively research candidates online indicated they discovered information that caused them not to move forward. As for the content itself, hiring managers and recruiters found a variety of questionable content such as proof of inappropriate behavior as well as information which contradicted the job seekers' qualifications for the job. Furthermore, some candidates bad mouthed previous employers and others demonstrated poor communication skills. We shouldn't be all doom and gloom. The survey reported some employers found positive information on social media sites. So positive that it solidified a candidate's position for the job! One in five hiring managers discovered something that prompted them to hire the candidate such as conveying a professional image, getting a good feel for a candidate's personality and wide range of interests, along with strong communication skills and creativity. In a press release, Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder stated, “Employers are using all the tools available to them to assure they make the correct hiring decision, and the use of social media continues to grow. For job seekers it is essential to be aware of what information they’re making available to employers, and to manage their online image." She added, "At the same time, hiring managers and human resources departments must carefully consider how to use information obtained from social media and whether it is relevant to a candidate’s qualifications.”

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Thanks to Social Media, New Survey Reveals Employers Discover Reasons Not to Extend Job Offers

Vicki Salemi

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Vicki Salemi