Employers Checking out Candidates on Facebook

A recent survey by Joslin Rowe backs up what I was saying yesterday. According to their survey of 53 employers (which I have to admist is rather a small sample size) 20% of employers use "social networking" sites (such as Facebook) to run searches on job applicants and 68% of employers use search engines to check on candidates.  The survey also showed that 60% of employers explored blogs of potential candidates. 

Tara Ricks, Managing Director of Joslin Rowe's permanent recruitment business is quoted:

The research may worry some candidates - particularly those who bare all on their web pages.  But they should not panic.  Most employers looking at these sites are not trying to catch applicants out, but trying to get a better picture of a person overall or find out things that a piece of paper can't say.  It's important to remember that firms want rounded individuals and people who'll fit in, and social networking sites can be a good source of information about someone's interests and how outgoing they are.

Joslin Rowe also list the top ten turn-offs for employers on social networking websites:

1.  References to drug abuse
2.  Extremist / intolerant views, including racism, sexism
3.  Criminal activity
4.  Evidence of excessive alcohol consumption
5.  Inappropriate pictures, including nudity
6.  Foul language
7.  Links to unsuitable websites
8.  Lewd jokes
9.  Silly email addresses
10. Membership of pointless / silly groups

As my friend Cam said "better take the line off Facebook where I say that I'm out to get mullered this weekend then".  Especially pertinent for her as she starts a new job next week!

Comments

[Andy Headworth]

Louise,

Interesting all this, as it has been going on for ever within recruitment. It is just that it is obviously much more accessible and easier to do than previously. There was a time when you picked up the phone to check somebody out, now it just a few clicks.
For me this raises something conveniently forgotton by the PC brigade - it is reciprocal - candidates can and should use the same sources to check on prospective employers as well!!
My last post http://sironaconsult.typepad.com/sironasays/2007/07/checking-out-th.html was on something similar!!

PS. Are things really that bad that you have taken to drinking on your own in the bath???!!