It’s no secret that social media has taken over the world. It’s a great way to stay connected with friends and family, and it can also be a powerful tool for businesses. However, many companies are now using social media screening as part of their strategy for recruiting new employees. This could be a terrible idea for a number of reasons. Let’s dive in and look at a few of them.
But first…
What is social media screening and why is it becoming so popular?
Social media screening is when companies look at an applicant’s social media profiles (usually Facebook and Twitter) to see if they are a good fit for the company. The thinking behind it is that if an applicant is not careful about what they post online, then they’re probably not going to be a good employee.
There are some problems with this line of thinking. Here are six of them.
1. Social media might not be an accurate representation of who someone really is
People are often careful about what they share on social media, and for good reason. You never know who might be looking at your profile, and you don’t want to give off the wrong impression. As a result, people often only share the best parts of their lives on social media, which means that it might not be an accurate representation of who they are.
2. Social media screening could be construed as a form of discrimination
Screening potential employees based on their social media profiles is a form of discrimination. It’s been shown that employers are more likely to hire people who are like them, which means that this type of screening can reinforce existing biases.
3. If done poorly, social media screening is a waste of time and resources
Social media screening is a time-consuming and expensive process. There are much better ways to spend your time and money when it comes to recruitment.
Outsourcing your recruitment to a recruitment agency is one of the best things you can do for your business. A recruitment consultant like ChandlerWoods has access to a large database of prospective applicants, and we’ll be able to locate the ideal person for your needs, conducting thorough research and vetting before making recommendations.
“Recruitment agencies are a much more efficient way to find the right fit for your company. Social media screening can be time-consuming and expensive, and it often doesn’t yield the best results. A recruitment consultant will take the time to understand your business and its needs and will recommend the best candidates for the job”, says Michael Hamson, Director of Recruitment and Executive Search at ChandlerWoods.
Recruitment specialists like ChandlerWoods also have a lot of expertise in conducting background checks, so you can be assured that the candidate you’re hiring is who they claim to be, without wasting your time or money on social media screening.
4. It could lead to legal problems
Social media screening could potentially lead to legal problems. For example, if an employer is looking at someone’s social media profile and they see that the candidate is a member of a protected group, they might be tempted to discriminate against them. This could come back to bite them later down the line, which leads us to…
5. It could damage your company’s reputation
If your company is caught discriminating against candidates, it could damage your reputation. This is especially true if the candidate decides to take legal action.
In today’s day and age, social media moves quickly, and news of this nature would spread like wildfire. It’s not worth the risk to your company’s reputation, so it’s best to avoid social media screening altogether.
Finally…
6. There are better ways to find great candidates
There are much better ways to find great candidates than by looking at their social media profiles. One of the best things you can do is to outsource your recruitment to a recruitment agency.
A recruitment consultant has access to a wide pool of candidates and can help you find the perfect person for the job quickly and efficiently. They also have extensive experience in conducting background checks, so you can be sure that the candidate you’re hiring is exactly who they say they are.
If you’re looking for outsourced recruiting in Sydney, contact ChandlerWoods today. We’ll be happy to discuss your needs and match you with one of our knowledgeable recruitment consultants to help your business hire better.
How to avoid the pitfalls of social media screening
If you’re going to do social media screening, there are a few things you can do to avoid the pitfalls:
- Only screen for information that is job-related
- Don’t make assumptions about candidates based on their social media profiles
- Don’t use social media screening as a replacement for other recruitment methods
Do you have any thoughts on social media screening? Get in touch and let us know!
What does the future hold for social media screening?
Social media screening is likely to become more common in the future as employers attempt to find new ways to screen candidates.
If you’re going to use social media screening, make sure you only screen for information that is job-related and don’t make assumptions about candidates based on their social media profiles.
Finally, don’t use social media screening as a replacement for other recruitment methods – it should be used in addition to other methods, such as outsourcing your recruitment to a recruitment agency.
Summing it up…
Social media screening is becoming more common to recruit new employees, but it has some potential pitfalls. To avoid these pitfalls, it’s important to understand the risks involved and use social media screening in addition to other recruitment methods.
If you’re looking for a recruitment solution, get in touch with ChandlerWoods today. We’ll be happy to help you find employees who are the perfect skillset and cultural fit for your business. We have years of experience in the recruitment industry, and we know how to find the best candidates quickly and efficiently.
Contact us today and let us help you find the perfect employee.