Do Background Investigators Check Social Media?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A social media background check is when

an employer reviews a candidate's social media profiles to see whether he'd be a good hire

. It's usually done near the end of the hiring process, and can reveal information that you can't find in traditional screenings.

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Do police background investigators check social media?

The release noted background investigators

will not be required to search social media

sites as a part of the investigation process, but will be allowed to if their agency moves forward with implementation guidance. Social media checks may be used to validate concerns, or may also mitigate potential issues.

Can background investigators see private social media accounts?

If it's one thing that has become very significant to our daily lives, it's the use of social media. This means that

investigators will not be able to read any of your private messages

, or see any media posts that would require a “friend request” to see them. …

Do background checks look at text messages?

INTERNET HISTORY, EMAILS, TEXT MESSAGES AND iCLOUD

Security clearance background investigators

do not check your

browsing history, read your emails, surveil your every move, bug your telephones, or photograph you commuting to work.

What does a social media background check consist of?

A social media background check is similar to other types of , like criminal checks. It

looks at a person's past behavior

since a person's past can be indicative of a person's future behavior.

What can background investigators find?

A background check is an investigation into a person's professional and personal history that validates or disproves their character and identity. A typical background check includes

criminal records, education and employment history, civil records, references

, and more depending on the situation and individual.

Can background investigators access Facebook accounts?

You

have to give them permission in your background investigation process

to access all social media accounts.

Can companies see your private social media?

The short answer is yes.

It is completely legal for employers to check employees' social media profiles

. Some states even allow employers to solicit social media usernames and passwords from their workers. In general, state and federal privacy laws dictate what employers can and cannot ask for.

What are disqualifiers for secret clearance?

  • Allegiance to the United States.
  • Foreign Influence.
  • Foreign Preference.
  • Sexual Behavior.
  • Personal Conduct.
  • Financial Considerations.
  • Alcohol Consumption.
  • Drug Involvement.

What disqualifies secret clearance?

Those include

criminal convictions that lead to a prison sentence of a year or longer

, receiving a dishonorable discharge, “criminal incompetence,” and drug addiction.

How do I pass a social media background check?

  1. Maintain Consistent & Professional Profile Photos. …
  2. Watch What You Post. …
  3. Post the Right Things. …
  4. Show Your Expertise. …
  5. Share Your Personality.

How do I fail a social media background check?

  1. Provocative Pics. Inappropriate pictures are something that an employer can look at in a few different ways. …
  2. Party like a Rockstar. …
  3. Bad Mouthing an Employer. …
  4. Unlawful Activity. …
  5. Violent Activity/Remarks. …
  6. Two Faced Tony. …
  7. Being Absent.

What type of questions do background investigators ask?

They will ask you about

drug use, past indiscretions, past associations and memberships, arrests and/or convictions

, any activities that could be used to blackmail you, and things like “Have you ever stolen something?” They are also checking other sources, like past friends, employers and teachers.

How far back do social media background checks go?

In Social Media Screening – you can only go back

7 years

. Additionally – The only information that is able to be used is anything that could cause potential problems in the workplace, such as drug and alcohol use, violence, hate speech, sexually explicit or potentially illegal information, etc.

Do Investigations show up on background check?


Investigations do not show up on background checks

. Arrests and charges as well as dispositions show up on background checks.

Whats the difference between a background check and a background investigation?


Background investigations are much more in-depth than background checks

and are often conducted to look into a person's past to determine who they really are. … In addition, interviews are often conducted as part of a background investigation and can provide valuable insights into an individual's life.

Are background checks private?

If you are running a background check just to learn a little bit more about a person, you can likely conduct that check anonymously (and without his or her knowledge or permission).

Can police delete social media accounts?

In most cases, subpoenas are required, especially when it comes to obtaining any private information. It's important to note that

law enforcement agencies do not have the ability to delete a person's posts or accounts on social media and can only make the request

.

Can you have social media with a top secret clearance?

The short answer is

yes

. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper signed Security Executive Agent Directive 5 in May that allows investigators to analyze information posted publicly on social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as part of security clearance background checks.

Does the FBI look at social media when hiring?


Investigators routinely search all social media profiles for any behavior

which may not be conducive to the core values of the FBI. Inappropriate photos, defamatory rants or posts that paint a negative picture of the individual can prevent the agent from obtaining the necessary clearance needed for the position.

Can employers check your Facebook even if it's private?


Employers can and do check out potential employees' Facebook profiles if they can get access to them

. Some 56 percent of employers said they were likely to look at the social media presence of potential employees before hiring them, according to a study from British business psychology firm OPP.

What should you not do on Facebook?

  • How much you hate your job. …
  • Embarrassing pictures of other people. …
  • Your birth year. …
  • Strong political or religious opinions. …
  • Curse words. …
  • Other people's big news. …
  • Details of your vacation. …
  • Posts intended to make others envious.

Can employers find your Instagram?

The answer is

yes

IF your social media accounts are inappropriate or contain anything you would not want a potential employer seeing. They will most likely google you to review your background and get to know you better and that includes the usual suspects—your Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn profiles.

How valuable is secret clearance?

However, some studies (including the report by ClearanceJobs.com) do find a dollar amount range to be more or less accurate. ClearanceJobs.com reports that the “average total compensation” for professionals with

approximately is $90,000

.

What percentage of security clearances are denied?

You may even wonder if you should continue with the process, particularly if you're not getting a paycheck while you wait. But don't lose heart –

20-30% of

all interim security clearances are denied, but that is vastly different than the figure of final clearance denials, which hovers around 1%.

How long does a security clearance investigation take?

Top Secret clearance processing times are sitting

around 159 days

, on average. To gain Secret clearance, the process is taking around 132 days. These processing times are for industry applicants. Processing times are slightly faster for Department of Defense civilians and service members.

What is a Tier 3 background investigation?

A Tier 3 investigation, formerly known as a National Agency Check with Law and Credit (NACLC), consists of the following: …

A credit check is run and reviewed for financial history regarding collections

, charge-offs, excessive debt to income ratio, liens, bankruptcies and civil court judgments.

What is a background investigation interview?

A background check is

a screening process through which an individual or company can verify your identity

. Prospective employers commonly request background checks during the job interview process to ensure you aren't a liability to their organization.

What do background investigators ask family members?

The background investigation includes

checking with your family, friends and relatives about what kind of person you are

. … Employment history – The background investigation includes checking with your previous employer/s what are the reasons you have stopped working for them.

What is investigated for a secret clearance?

Credit and criminal history checks will be conducted on all applicants. For a Top Secret security clearance, the background investigation includes

additional record checks

which can verify citizenship for the applicant and family members, verification of birth, education, employment history, and military history.

What are the 5 levels of security clearance?

National Security Clearances are a hierarchy of five levels, depending on the classification of materials that can be accessed—

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC), Enhanced Baseline Standard (EBS), Security Check (SC) and Developed Vetting (DV)

.

Who do they interview for Top Secret clearance?

For a secret clearance in a national security position, the investigation requires agents to interview

people who have lived or worked with the applicant at some point in the last seven years (or more)

.

What looks bad on a background check?

There are plenty of reasons a person may not pass a background check, including

criminal history, education discrepancies

, poor credit history, damaged driving record, false employment history, and a failed drug test.

Can OnlyFans show up on a background check?


Yes

, your OnlyFans account can show up on a background check if the prospective employer ran a comprehensive check, and you have received a 1099 tax form from OnlyFans.

What social media do jobs check?

Social media channels employers check

“The three main platforms that most employers check are

LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter

,” said Matt Erhard, senior partner at Summit Search Group. “I am personally most interested in the candidate's LinkedIn profile, as it's the most relevant.”

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.