If you think that you can do or say whatever you want online with no repercussions, you are so wrong! That stuff can come around to haunt you again and again. And if you ever find yourself unemployed, be prepared to possibly have to face the music. It’s now being reported that 45% of Employers Now Screen Social Media Profiles.
This according to research firm Harris Interactive, who was commissioned by CareerBuilder.com and surveyed 2,667 HR professionals, finding that 45% of them use social networking sites to research job candidates, with an additional 11% planning to implement social media screening in the very near future.
I can certainly understand why a business would want to protect their reputation. It’s their name on the line and how you behave online says a lot about a person’s character. This is a good reminder to use your common sense and remember that anyone can see you. On the other hand, do you think employers are taking things too far?
Amanda,
I agree that the employer should think about the company’s reputation, internally and externally. Why can’t an employer put some trust into the mix and let the employees use the social media channels in order to create good stuff and spread the good word about the company and its business?
I understand if HR professionals are screening candidates in order to get a better picture of the potential new employee. But the company should understand that it is a two way street. The candidate could also do a background check on the company, the board of directors, management, including HR people!
Employee social media activity can directly affect a company’s online reputation. With more and more potential customers using search engines to research businesses and their employees, online reputation monitoring and management services such as the ones offered by Miles Technologies are becoming increasingly essential to business success.