Simulation 2
Social Networking Sites in Hiring
MGMT 3560, 2018
The use of social networking sites is growing among hiring managers
77 % of companies are using social networking sites to recruit candidates for specific jobs (SHRM Survey, 2013)
50% of companies report doing background checks on their candidates by searching through online contents, and claim to have not hired candidates based on finding “provocative photographs” or “poor communication skills.”
Is it ethical/necessary for employers to factor in online profiles in hiring decisions?
Adapted from www.reppler.com
13%: Lies about their qualifications
11%: Posted inappropriate photos
11%: Posted inappropriate comments
11%: Posted negative comments about a previous employer
11%: Demonstrated poor communication skills
10%: Made discriminatory comments
7%: Shared confidential information from a previous employer
7%: Never rejected because of information on SNS
39%: Positive impression of their personality
36%: Profile supported their professional qualifications
36%: Profile showed the candidate was creative
34%: Good references posted by others
33%: Showed solid communication skills
33%: Showed the candidate was well-rounded
24%: Received awards
18%: Never hired because of information on SNS
Adapted from www.careerglider.com
Cases of firing employees because of their posts on Facebook
Kimberley Swann, 16, was fired after three weeks as an admin assistant for writing on Facebook about how bored she was with her job. Her status updates included: 'first day at work. omg!! So dull!!’
An 18-year-old Buckingham Palace guard was fired ahead of the royal wedding after he allegedly called Kate Middleton a 'stupid stuck up cow' in a Facebook post.
Stephanie Bon was fired from her role as an HR assistant at Lloyds after posting a comment about her boss earning more money than her. She wrote: 'New CEO gets £4,000 an hour. I get £7. That’s fair.'
YES?
NO?
Write-up 2 Questions
Describe the pros and cons of using SNS (social networking sites) in hiring.
What’s your position on whether companies should use SNS? Is it ethical for potential employers to factor in content from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Myspace when hiring potential employees? Did you change your mind after the debate? If yes, why? If no, why not?
If you favor using SNS in hiring, what would you suggest to minimize risk and adverse effects associated with using SNS? If you oppose using SNS in hiring, what would be the right approach to the online screening of potential employees?
Have you ever googled yourself? If not, try now! What did you find? Do you think your ‘digital footprint’ would affect your career positively or negatively in the future?