Sunday, April 7, 2013

Social media monitoring: Screening and background checking using social media


Image Source: advancetitan.com


Before applying for a job, most applicants update their resume, get a haircut, find something decent to wear, and rehearse their “why you should hire me” lines. However, with 2 out of 5 companies now using social networking sites, like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and MySpace, to screen applicants and perform background checks, it is now imperative that applicants also add cleaning up their social networking profiles to their to-do list.

Many applicants may not be aware that posting inappropriate comments and using foul language online may be grounds for rejection. However, studies show that the biggest factor that contributes to an applicant being rejected is having provocative photos publicly posted online.


Image Source: edudemic.com


The main reason why an increasing number of employers use social media for background checking is because it is a good source of personal information that can’t be found in an applicant’s resume. These pieces of information may signal red flags, like gang involvement, drug use, drinking problems, and potentially violent behavior, which can affect a person’s work performance. Current employees are also not safe from social media monitoring as they may post content that is damaging to a company’s corporate image.

Thus, it is a wise decision to stay on the side of caution by deleting unruly photographs and posted negative content, and setting appropriate privacy settings to avoid risking one’s career because of these indecent online content.


Image Source: aznow.biz


Growing engaged audiences in social media to promote brands is media expert John Bohan’s goal when he established Socialtyze. Visit its website for more information.

1 comment:

  1. There is a massive trend forming with these social background checks, and for the average person, it's going to mean a hell of a lot of work just to appease potential employers. No drinking, no smoking, no dancing, no politics, no religion, no anything that indicates a strong or carefree opinion. If America's corporations want mindless zombies for workers, they only need to automate the entire system.

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