SINGAPORE — Jobseekers, beware. Your potential employer could be following you on Facebook, Instagram and even TikTok.
More recruiters are now screening job candidates’ social media profiles as part of their hiring process, according to LinkedIn News Asia, the news section of professional jobs networking site LinkedIn.
The LinkedIn post, published on Tuesday (Sept 27), did not specify how many more companies are doing so, but it did generate a debate on the issue, drawing over 100 comments in two days.
Opinions were split on whether such a practice by hiring manager is acceptable or not.
So what exactly are recruiters looking out for in seeking out candidates' social media activities?
Employers don’t care if you ate a granola bowl for breakfast or went to the Maldives in the summer — although the use of profanities might be a cause for concern. Instead, companies are using social media as a screening tool for job candidates.
Some potential red flags? Illegal activities, graphic or obscene materials and offensive comments, according to Business News Daily.
According to a 2020 survey by The Harris Poll, 70 per cent of United States employers believe that companies should screen candidates’ social media profiles during the hiring process.
More than half (55 per cent) of employers who have done social media screening rejected candidates because of what they found. A majority of employers (67 per cent) polled said that they use social media sites to research on potential job candidates.
The Harris Poll, commissioned by international staffing company Express Employment Professionals, surveyed 1,005 US hiring managers in 2020.
More at https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...-accounts-sparks-debate-such-practice-2005416
