Employers remain prepared to check social media sites despite job seekers’ concerns

RA Now

The majority of job seekers feel it is inappropriate for employers to check their personal social media profiles when they apply for jobs, yet 64% of employers have researched candidates in this way, a survey has found.

Sixty per cent of nearly 900 job seekers polled by recruiter Robert Walters say they don’t think employers should look at their social media profiles because they do not provide an informed picture of their professional strengths.

Of the almost 300 companies also questioned by recruiter Robert Walters for its whitepaper, Using social media in the recruitment process, one in four said they use information gained from social media at the interview stage and 35% use it when assessing new applicants.

Job seekers recognise that employers will look at their social media profiles however, and 59% say they are prepared to change their profiles to remove or alter content to appeal to a prospective employer.

The research also found that – despite the expanding popularity of social media – recruitment consultancies remain the preferred hiring tool among both professional job seekers and employers by a substantial margin.

Nearly half (43%) of job seekers turn first to a recruitment consultancy to help them find a new role, whereas just 13% that prefer professional social networks.

Similarly, nearly half of hiring managers feel a recruitment consultant is best placed to assist them in securing top candidates compared to posting on job boards (preferred by only 12% of employers) or advertising on professional social media (13%).

“Social media has had a profound effect on our personal relationships and how we engage with friends and family,” said Chris Hickey, CEO of Robert Walters UK, South Africa and Middle East.

“Yet this whitepaper shows that, while there are benefits to using social media in the recruitment process, they are complimenting rather than replacing other methods used by job seekers and employers.

 “Professional social networks are used by job seekers to showcase their talents and research career opportunities. However, when looking for a new role, established channels such as recruitment consultancies continue to lead thanks to their advisory skills and ability to engage with employers.”