third 34% of employers who scan social media profile said they have found content that has caused them not to hire the candidate
about half of those employers said they didn't offer a job candidate the position because of provocative or inappropriate photo and information posted on his or her profile
while 45% said they chose not to hire someone because of evidence of drinking and / or drug use on his or her social profiles
other reasons they decided not to offer the job
the candidate's profile displayed poor communication skills, he or she bad mouthed previous employers, made discriminatory comments related to race, gender, or religion, or lied about qualifications
haefner says on matter what information is found on a candidate, and regardless of where it's found, the process has to abide by fair and equal hiring practices
if you choose to share content publicly on social media, make sure it's working to your advantage
take down or secure anything that could potentially be viewed by an employer as unprofessional and share content that highlights your accomplishments and qualifications in a positive way
The information you provide online about your job background and accomplishments should also be consistent, he says. "Don't assume an employer will only be checking you out on Linked. In they may also check Facebook, or even Twiter and google+. The story you tell on each site should be pretty much the same, although it's fine to adapt the material for the site.
The good news is that hiring managers aren’t just screening your social media profiles to dig up dirt
They’re also looking for information that could possibly give you an advantage
The careerbuilder survey revealed that 29% of surveyed hiring managers found something positive on a profile that drove them to offer the candidate a job
In some cases it was that the employer got a good feel for the candidate’s personality
Other chose to hire because the profile conveyed a professional image
In some instances it was because background information supported candidate, or because the profile showed that the job seeker is creative, well-rounded, or has great communication skills
This means the job seekers shouldn’t just focus on hiding or removing inappropriate content
They should work on building strong social networks and creating online profile that do a really good job of representing their skills and experience in the workplace, simpson said in a press statement
Job seekers who are silent or invisible online may be at a disadvantage
They need to engage on social networking sites to increase their visibility and search ability with prospective employers
It’s not enough to only post a profile and check your news feed
There are a lot of lurkers-people who have an online profile but don’t do anything or engage in any meaningful way
You need to give to the social networking communities, participate in group discussions, share expertise, and point someone to an article
You have to work it
While it can feel uncomfortable putting yourself out there, if you’re looking for a job, it’s not the time to be timid