Nearly half (45%) of US employers use social networking sites to dig up information about job candidates, a significant jump from 22% last year, according to a survey commissioned by CareerBuilder, which also found that another 11% of employers have plans in the works to start using social networking sites for screening.
- 53% of survey respondents rejected candidates because they posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information.
- 44% passed on a candidate because they saw content related to the person drinking or using drugs.
- 35% rejected candidates because they bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients.
- 29% disqualified a candidate because the person showed poor communication skills.
- 50% say a candidate’s profile provided a good feel for the candidate’s personality and fit.
- 39% say a profile supported candidate’s professional qualifications.
- 38% say it showed a candidate is creative.
- 35% say a candidate showed solid communication skills.