A social media background check enables employers to gain more insight into candidates than a resume or interview. It offers an accurate, current snapshot of a person’s attitude and behavior. It helps employers avoid hiring a bad hire and protect their brand. It can also help them avoid legal liability and create a safe work environment.
What is a Social Media Background Check?
A social media background check is a search of an applicant’s online profiles and activities to uncover any information relevant to your hiring decision. It is a process that complements traditional job interviews and background checks, which focus on criminal history, education, and past employment.
Many applicants need to reveal more about themselves in interviews and resumes, but their social media accounts provide a wealth of information to help you understand their personality and interests. It makes social media screening a valuable tool to use in your hiring process.
While performing a social media background check, it is crucial to use caution. It can ensure that you are using your time effectively on people who are not a good fit for the position.
Candidates’ social media profiles can also reveal important details about their beliefs and values, which could impact how you hire them. For example, you might discover that a candidate has extreme political views or believes in illegal activity.
When running a social media background check, it is also essential to consider the applicant’s privacy rights. You must always inform them of your intent and get permission before you search. It will avoid any legal complications if you find sensitive personal information.
How do I do a Social Media Background Check?
Social media background checks are a great way to get a fuller picture of the people you are considering for employment. If you are hiring for a high-level position, this can be extremely useful.
It also helps ensure that the candidate you are looking to hire is the right fit for your organization and the job they are applying for. It can also give you a good idea of their moral compass and how well they will fit in with your company culture.
In addition to checking a person’s resume and interview answers, employers often use social media background checks to find out more about their candidates. It is advantageous if a person has many accounts, as it allows you to check all their profiles for any information that may be important to your decision.
A social media background check may reveal a few warning signs suggesting a candidate is not ideal. These things can include posts that show excessive cursing, pictures of hard partying, or extreme political opinions. These are all things that responsible, well-informed, and respectful people do not exhibit on their social media profiles. It is why it is always a good idea to use a third-party service with clear guidelines and a procedure that you can use for each candidate.
Why do I need to do a Social Media Background Check?
Checking a candidate’s social media history is one of the best things you can do to ensure you pick the appropriate individual. It is a good idea to check the candidate’s social media accounts before and after your interview process so that you do not waste time on candidates with questionable histories or behavior.
For example, you can use this tool to determine if prospective employees use social media to communicate about their personal lives with family members or others. It could lead to serious embarrassment down the road. It is also a good idea to check their Instagram and Twitter feeds as these platforms are often more public than their Facebook counterparts.
There are many reasons to include a social media background check in your hiring process, but the most important is that it can save you from a costly bad hire. A properly executed social media screening can save up to 30% of your annual hiring costs. However, this type of technology can be challenging to pull off, particularly if your company needs more experience. For example, you should be aware of all the laws and local jurisdictions that regulate the permissions required for an employer to access a candidate’s social media accounts.
What Advantages Do Social Media Background Checks Offer?
Social media background checks have become an essential tool for employers. They can uncover information not found in traditional background check methods and save companies money.
The key is to be strategic and use a third party to conduct the check. It will keep you legally compliant and prevent bias.
A background check on a candidate’s social media can give you valuable insight into their character and demeanor. For instance, a candidate who badmouths their boss on Facebook or posts photos of hard partying may need someone other than the right person for the job.
Sometimes, a candidate’s social media can also reveal if they are part of groups or websites promoting extremist beliefs or ideas. It can make them a toxic hire and damage your company’s reputation.
These issues can affect your company’s reputation and even lead to legal problems. That is why you should only use a third-party service to carry out the check and ensure they follow federal and state privacy laws.
When done correctly, a social media background check will provide you with information about your candidate’s history that can help you avoid hiring toxic employees and reduce turnover costs.
