45% Of Employers Use Facebook To Screen Applicants

[Jay]

Forty-five Percent of Employers Use Social Networking Sites to Research Job Candidates, CareerBuilder Survey Finds

As social networking grows increasingly pervasive, more employers are utilizing these sites to screen potential employees. Forty-five percent of employers reported in a recent CareerBuilder survey that they use social networking sites to research job candidates, a big jump from 22 percent last year. Another 11 percent plan to start using social networking sites for screening. More than 2,600 hiring managers participated in the survey, which was completed in June 2009.

Of those who conduct online searches/background checks of job candidates, 29 percent use Facebook, 26 percent use LinkedIn and 21 percent use MySpace. One-in-ten (11 percent) search blogs while 7 percent follow candidates on Twitter.

The top industries most likely to screen job candidates via social networking sites or online search engines include those that specialize in technology and sensitive information: Information Technology (63 percent) and Professional & Business Services (53 percent).


Why Employers Disregarded Candidates After Screening Online

Job seekers are cautioned to be mindful of the information they post online and how they communicate directly with employers. Thirty-five percent of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them not to hire the candidate. The top examples cited include:

Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information - 53 percent

Candidate posted content about them drinking or using drugs - 44 percent

Candidate bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients - 35 percent

Candidate showed poor communication skills - 29 percent

Candidate made discriminatory comments - 26 percent

Candidate lied about qualifications - 24 percent

Candidate shared confidential information from previous employer - 20 percent
Fourteen percent of employers have disregarded a candidate because the candidate sent a message using an emoticon such as a smiley face while 16 percent dismissed a candidate for using text language such as GR8 (great) in an e-mail or job application.

.....

oregonbusinessreport.com/2009/08/45-employers-use-facebook-twitter-to-screen-job-candidates/

[RuneDeer]

Using emoticons and e-mail shorthand can certainly be regarded as unprofessional IN A WORK SETTING (depending entirely upon what sort of company culture we're talking about), but using it on Facebook among friends is a different matter. I hope people know better than to sound like Valley Girlz/Guyz when corresponding with a prospective employer ... but many probably don't. Same goes for dress codes and other social skills. It's a shame.

[Walker, Texas Ranger]

All any future employer would learn from my Facebook account is that a lot of people know me, I like to cook, and I can't seem to stop renovating my house.

[Red]

And you have cats. Funny Cats.

[Justin Thyme]

All any future employer would learn from my Facebook account is that a lot of people know me,...

Not just a lot of people but a lot of strange and odd people who seem to make strange and odd comments about you and your style of dress.

[Walker, Texas Ranger]

people who seem to make strange and odd comments about you and your style of dress.

Said style of dress is also strange and odd.