Screening an applicant’s social media is not an objective screening tactic. … So, in short, although social media screening is an easy way to ensure the person you are hiring is respectful, reliable, and responsible, it’s a risk, and you
should definitely think twice before doing it
.
The short answer is yes.
It is completely legal for employers to check employees’ social media profiles
. … In general, state and federal privacy laws dictate what employers can and cannot ask for. It’s essential to note that potential bosses aren’t the only people who can get your information online.
When done improperly, a social media background check
can put your organization at risk for lawsuits
. … An employer researching a candidate on social media could easily learn that their candidate has one or more of these protected characteristics. This knowledge could cause a biased hiring decision.
Is social media screening legal? The short answer:
Yes, BUT it has to be done correctly
. If you’re tasked with making hiring decisions and you decide to look at an applicant’s social media activity on your own, you’re opening yourself up to potential problems (such as discrimination lawsuits).
Before you apply for a job, you should
audit your social media accounts
. Job seekers should assume that employers will check every social media platform. … Most employers view LinkedIn as a secondary resume and other social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as more personal.
Federal laws prohibit employers from discriminating against
a prospective or current employee based on information on the employee’s social media relating to their race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, and immigration or citizen status.
Social media is used by potential employers to check
job applicants’ qualifications
, assess their professionalism and trustworthiness, reveal negative attributes, determine whether they post any problematic content and even assess “fit.”
What do employers look for in candidates?
Employers like people who are
warm, friendly, easygoing, and cooperative with others
. Employers are looking for people who can join the team and be part of the work-family. Men and women with good personalities are invariably more popular and more effective at whatever they do. Teamwork is the key to business success.
Having a social media presence will certainly benefit your job search. So long as you are aware of what you are sharing publicly on social media doesn’t discourage recruiters from wanting to interview you, it will help your credibility. However not having an online presence
can make a difference
.
Most
hiring managers will screen social media at the application stage
, before inviting a candidate to interview. Just as organisations screen potential employees, jobseekers will also research and assess potential employers. Social media can add much value if used correctly.
For human resources hiring departments, social media sites
give them access to much more candidate information than they previously would’ve had at their fingertips
. Traditionally, employers have mostly been limited to the information that candidates provide on their paper resumes.
It Makes You More Negative
For many, social media is an outlet for all of their stresses, frustrations and heartbreaks, or a place to share their thoughts and feelings on the tragedies of the world. And while it may make them feel better, it certainly doesn’t relieve those who are reading it.
Can employers check your Facebook even if its private?
Many employers conduct professional background checks on potential employees before deciding whether to hire them. However, some employers may also investigate a potential employee’s social media profiles, such as a Facebook page. In most cases,
an employer can only view your private Facebook page if you allow it
.
What is a social media background check? A social media background check is similar to other types of background checks, 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.
Can an employee get fired for posting something on Facebook?
In short,
yes, you can be fired for what you post on social media like Facebook or any other site
. However, there are certain laws that limit the extent of an employer’s right to fire or discipline employees for what they post online.
Can my boss look at my Facebook?
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.
