Employers check applicants’ social media presence

April 27, 2012

Many mothers pursuing a college degree look forward to reaping the benefits of their hard work in the job market. After all, going to college makes applicants stand out in a difficult job market and increases their earning potential.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that individuals whose highest level of education is high school made an average of $31,000 per year in 2010. For those with a bachelor's degree, the average was $58,000.

However, graduates embarking on a job search may want to do a bit more than ensuring they have something professional to wear on their interviews. A recent survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com revealed that nearly two in five companies (37 percent) use social networking sites to research job candidates. In addition, 11 percent of employers who do not currently use social media to screen say they plan to start.

What exactly are they looking for? The CareerBuilder.com survey of more than 2,000 hiring managers nationwide revealed that the majority (65 percent) want to see if the candidate presents himself/herself professionally. Just over half (51 percent) said that social media helps them determine if the candidate is a good fit for the company culture, 45 percent want to learn more about the candidate's qualifications, 35 percent want to see if he/she is well-rounded.  In addition, 12 percent admit they are looking for reasons to not hire the candidate.

"Because social media is a dominant form of communication today, you can certainly learn a lot about a person by viewing their public, online personas," said CareerBuilder's Rosemary Haefner. "However, hiring managers and human resources departments have to make a careful, determined decision as to whether information found online is relevant to the candidates’ qualifications for the job."

One-third of hiring managers surveyed said that social media information has prevented them from hiring candidates in the past. They cited provocative and inappropriate photos, evidence of alcohol and drug use, poor communication skills and discriminatory comments as reasons.

Whether you've paid for college on your own or depended on grants for parents, college scholarships or other financial aid, experts say it's important to ensure your online persona matches the image you want to project, especially when starting a job search.

"Job seekers should be mindful of what potential employers can learn about them online," said Haefner. "If you choose to leave social media content public, tailor the message to your advantage. Filter out anything that can tarnish your professional reputation and post communications, links and photos that portray you in the best possible light."
 

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