Majority of employers research candidates on social media!

Employers are no longer relying on a candidate’s CV alone as more than half turn to social media to check out an applicant’s credentials, a survey has found.

Research from CareerBuilder.co.uk found that 52% of employers have researched job candidates on social media, and a further ten per cent plan to begin doing so.

More than 400 employers took part in the survey which showed that it’s the professional networking sites that employers are least interested in as 62% admit to checking Facebook and 45% look at a candidate’s Twitter feed. That’s compared to 44% using LinkedIn and 22% on Google+.

Image sharing sites are also under scrutiny, though to a lesser degree, with nearly one in ten (nine per cent) referring to Instagram, and eight per cent to Pinterest. Employers are also using search engines to help decide a candidate’s fate with 49% of employers using search engines such as Google to research applicants and 11% saying they plan to start.

Of those who have researched candidates on social media, 42% have found content that caused them to not hire the candidate and 18% have found content that made them think twice about hiring the candidate.

The most common reasons for eliminating a candidate from consideration include posting information about them drinking or using drugs (33%) and posting provocative or inappropriate photographs or information (28%).

Conversely, 45% of employers who research candidates on social networking sites say they’ve found content that led them to hire a candidate. Some of the most common reasons included the candidate’s background information supporting their professional qualifications for the job (38%) and the employer being able to get a good feel for the candidate’s personality and fit within the company (27%).

Scott Helmes, Managing Director of CareerBuilder UK says: “CVs only tell part of the story, so employers are increasingly relying on social media and Internet search engines to supplement their knowledge of a candidate.

“For these reasons, job seekers need to be more aware than ever about what they say – and what’s being said about them – online.”

Vercida works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with Vercida to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please call 02037405973 or email [email protected] for more information.

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