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72% of Employers Use Social Networking Sites to Research Job Candidates

Career Expert Provides DOs and DON'Ts for Job Seekers on Social Networking in the New Year
CareerBuilder.co.in

GURGAON - 25 January, 2010 - As social networking grows increasingly pervasive, more employers are utilizing these sites to screen potential employees. More than seven-in-ten (73 percent) employers reported in a new CareerBuilder India survey that they use social networking sites to research job candidates. Another 15 percent plan to start using social networking sites for screening. More than 1,000 employers participated in the survey, which was completed in December 2009.

Why Employers Disregarded Candidates After Screening Online

As job seekers gear up their search for employment in the new year, they are cautioned to be mindful of the information they post online and how they communicate directly with employers. Forty-two percent of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them not to hire the candidate.  The top reasons include:


  • Candidate lied about qualifications - 48 percent

  • Candidate showed poor communication skills - 31 percent

  • Candidate bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients - 19 percent

  • Candidate shared confidential information from previous employer - 19 percent

  • Candidate posted content about them drinking or using drugs - 12 percent

  • Candidate made discriminatory comments - 11 percent

  • Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information - 9 percent



Why Employers Hired Candidates After Screening Online

Job seekers are also encouraged to leverage social media in advertising their skills and experience. Half (48 percent) of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them to hire the candidate.  The top reasons include:


  • Profile supported candidate's professional qualifications - 59 percent

  • Candidate showed solid communication skills - 40 percent

  • Candidate was well-rounded - 38 percent

  • Profile provided a good feel for the candidate's personality and fit - 27 percent

  • Candidate seemed creative - 26 percent

  • Candidate conveyed a professional image - 26 percent

  • Other people posted good references about the candidate - 19 percent

  • Candidate received awards and accolades - 17 percent


"Social networking is a great way to make connections with potential job opportunities in 2010 and promote your personal brand across the Internet," said Arti Pullins, Managing Director of CareerBuilder India. "Make sure you are using this resource to your advantage by conveying a professional image and underscoring your qualifications."

 

Pullins recommends the following DOs and DON'Ts to keep a positive image online this year:


  1. DO clean up digital dirt BEFORE you begin your job search.  Remove any photos, content and links that can work against you in an employer's eyes.

  2. DO consider creating your own professional group on sites like Facebook or BrightFuse.com to establish relationships with thought leaders, recruiters and potential referrals.

  3. DO keep gripes offline.  Keep the content focused on the positive, whether that relates to professional or personal information.  Makes sure to highlight specific accomplishments inside and outside of work.
    DON'T forget others can see your friends, so be selective about who you accept as friends.  Monitor comments made by others.  Consider using the "block comments" feature or setting your profile to "private" so only designated friends can view it.

  4. DON'T mention your job search if you're still employed. 

Survey Methodology

This survey was conducted online within India by CareerBuilder among 1,030 hiring managers and human resource professionals (employed full-time; not self-employed; non-government; with at least significant involvement in hiring decisions) between December 3 and December 9, 2009. With a probability sample of 1,030 CareerBuilder users, one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/- 3.04 percentage points. Some percentages are based on a sample subset determined by responses to other questions, and the sampling error for data from sub-samples is higher and varies.


About CareerBuilder India
CareerBuilder India is an online job site that connects employers and job seekers in India and is a subsidiary of CareerBuilder, the global leader in human capital solutions. CareerBuilder India is owned by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI), Tribune Company, The McClatchy Company (NYSE: MNI) and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT). Many of India's leading employers take advantage of CareerBuilder India's search technology, job posting network, employment branding and C.V database. Job seekers visit the site to search for opportunities, sign up for automatic e-mail job alerts and receive advice on employment and career topics. For more information, visit www.CareerBuilder.co.in. 

Media Contact:
CareerBuilder
Allison Nawoj
+001-773-527-2437
allison.nawoj@careerbuilder.com
http://twitter.com/CareerBuilderPR



Last Updated: 22/01/2010 - 8:52 AM