After reading the three articles I assigned in the previous post, answer the following question: if you worked for a company hiring new employees, and you WERE going to check on their Facebook or other online activity, what sorts of things would you look for? What would be a red flag for you? What would be a positive sign? Would decline to hire an otherwise qualified applicant based solely on their online activity?
Please post a response in the comments section of this blog post. When posting, try to read through the comments before yours so you don't simply restate what someone else has said. It's all right if you want to agree (or disagree) with what someone else has said before, but try to refer to them when doing so.
You may comment as many times as you like, but you must comment at least once before Tuesday, Feb. 15.
If I was looking in a social networking website, I would be looking for evidences or the truth of the candidate for the job. This is because social networking websites such as, facebook, reveal what kind of a person one really is, where as resumes and applications only show the good qualities about that person. The way they speak to other people, their lifestyle, and their personality can be revealed. These social networking websites help the employer to see the real side of that person that they have not seen in their application.
ReplyDeleteA red flag for me would when there are a lot of pictures of that person using drugs, lied about qualifications, using derogatory language, and poor communication skills. On the other hand, there could be positive signs when the person shows good relationship and interaction with others and also when the resume correlates to the persons lifestyle.
I do think that I could decline a qualified applicant based on their online activity because the online activity tell the truth of what kind of a person one is. An application or a resume is like a mask that hides the true face behind it because it solely lists the good attributes and achievements of that person. Although their application could be qualified, their lifestyle could be a mess, which leads to a higher probability that an employee could be lazy and not passionate toward their work.
I all agree Yae Sam's opinion. for employer, facebook and other kinds of social network websites can be the good way to know more about the job applicant beside their resumes or cover letters. social network website is another way to show their lifestyle, and important values by informal ways. In workplace, it is very important to get along with other people such as their co-workers and clients. but it is impossible to know job applicant's personality and character only by the paper of resumes and cover letters. so social network website can provide the chance for employers who want to know more about their job applicant.
ReplyDeletered flag for me.
1. If job applicant using inadequate language, swear word.
2. if job applicant is homosexuality.
3. if there are many untidy picture's of job applicant on the website.
positive sign
1. if job applicants actively participate social activity or getting well along with other people.
2. it's very controversial, but if job applicants believe in jesus christ, it can be positive sign for me.
As a employer, the information from social network websites can significantly influence my decision. If somebody shows positive impression, I definitely I hire that person.
First of all, I would like to say that I disagree of how employers use social network to evaluate their potential employees. It's because as for me, I use the social network site as a medium to communicate with my family, relatives and friends and sometimes to share my thought. I may look unprofessional on those sites but it does not mean I am not professional with my work. Thus, to hire people solely based on their online activity is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteHowever if I were an employer who checks the social networks about the potential candidate, I would only check on activities which bring harms such as misused of drugs, bad drinking habit or maybe inappropriate content on the site. And for me, the most important thing to look good on those sites is to have correct information and background details.
I agree with farah on the fact that social networking sites do not accurately convey a person of being professional or not. One may use such sites for recreational use and not in fear of what potential employers may think.
ReplyDeleteI do think that there are both advantages and disadvantages to viewing social networking sites depending on their use. As an employer viewing candidates' profiles I would look for positive behavior such as active club involvement, volunteer efforts and past work experiences. I can find this through looking at the profile's information and even through browsing pictures. Writing comments and creating groups may show that the person is active and well spoken. If used in the right way a profile page can make someone look even better than they actually act in reality.
The disadvantages of networking sites, however, are greater as by nature one does not think of everything that goes on a web page. Pictures of consistent drinking, drug use and erratic behavior would serve as "red flags." Other things that would discourage an employer from hiring a candidate would be illicit use of language, racist comments and even joining political groups against the views of the employer.
If I was in the position of recruiting a candidate to work for my company, I would not decline to hire a person due to their online activity. While I may view their profile, I would not weigh it greatly into my decision. Unless there are obvious signs to stay away from the candidate my decision would matter on the interview itself. Since I use social networking sites I understand they do not have to be serious and may only portray one side of the candidate that being either positive or negative.
I think that social networking websites do not provide proper information needed for recruting work force. Websites such as facebook are usually exaggerated for the better image of person. Because it is one's frew-will to create and describe into one's preference style. Plus, recruiters are affected to make prejudice against the applicants after checking social networking webpages. Let's say you are the employer and recieve a fabulous resume from a man. Interrested in the applicants, you go visit his blog where you encounter to see his series partying pictures with drunk looking people all around. At this point, we all know that it is just one side of his life and it should not matter with his fantastic resume and importantly, we are never to judge from his one side of his life. However, when you are sitting with the applicant interviewing, you wouldn't help yourself from recalling his partying pictures which will do at least some negative effect on your image. The information on social networking websites are created so much better used as an entertaining tool for private life such as socializing with friends.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSocial networking websites are a good tool for the recruiters to seek information of applicants. Through individual blogs, one can express, further describe him or herself so much better and appeal themselves widely to everyone. As for the recruiters, social networking websites are a such good way to find information not found on resumes. Recruiters can tell and further learn such as life style which can be observed if the applicants are hard working person or not. Plus, recruiters will be able to find the applicants' social status by observing friends or family to judge if the applicants will be socially suitable in the work place. Some say that social networking websites can create privacy problems. However, we all know that internet is led to anyone in the world and as mature adults, if we can set up our blogs accordingly, social networking websites will be better used for any parties whether as a recruiter, or a job seeker.
ReplyDelete(Yu Gu)
ReplyDelete• I would looking for if they lie on their qanlifications, their personlities, their communication skills, their relations with former emploers, if there are any indications of drag use, crims, or discrmnations.
• The postivie signs inculds, solid professional qulifications, strong writing skills and good relationships with former emploers. The red flags would include, bad relationship with former emploers, drug use, crimes, other illigal activities, discrmnations and vilonce trend.
• I would not decline to hire someone solely on their online activity, except there are indications of serous discrmnations, or crims.
I actually find it unethical to look through potential employees' social network profiles. However since this question is hypothetical, if I were that kind of employer, I would pay attention to signs that can be indicative of person's personality. Red flags probably would be drugs (not alcohol or cigarettes), use of foul language (if too much of it) and if I find something that will reveal that the person is really bad as a human.
ReplyDeleteI would also judge a potential employee on sections like "favorite citations", "about myself", "hobbies" (if sport, reading etc. are there it is good sign) and pictures. If those sections prove that the person has good principles and honest and hard-working personality this will help him/her get the job.
I am totally agree with Yae Sam and Ken. Resumes and cover letters only shows applicants' professionalism about themselves Which we don't know if it is actually correct. By checking online activities, we are able to know their backgrounds.
ReplyDeletePositives signs will be strong communication skills, number of friends, hobbies and so on.
Red flags will be frequent usage of inadquate language, improper pictures and false information compared to resumes and cover letter.
If there is something serious problems such as excessive usage of drug and alcohol, I will decline the qualified applicant. Online activities reflects solid background. It is much more reliable than what we see on resumes and cover letters.
I agree with Yerzhan that a potential employee should also be judged on sections like “favourite citations”, “hobbies” and also on some personal traits such as good principles, honest and hard working personality.
ReplyDeleteI was surprised with the article that nearly 50 percent of the employers search extensively on the internet to figure out the real personality of the candidates. From a employers perspective it is fair because they might want to be safe when they are choosing their employees.
The second link provided many statistical data demonstrating accurate percentage of different criterion for not selecting a candidate for a particular job. A candidate who takes drugs and also put offensive pictures on facebook, twitter are the ones who are mostly rejected. This is a good practice according to my perspective. The companies also look for communication skills of the candidates.
The third link emphasizes the importance of authenticity that the candidate should provide on their resume.
Well, I actually would encourage companies to look up their applicant’s online activities before hiring them to some point. I would definitely look at their personality if they are aggressive and uncaring and have no sense of responsibility. I think most of the time you can’t see that in a resume or cover letter.
ReplyDeleteMoreover, sometimes the company might have several applicants who are all qualified for the job. Looking online for their information and see if they are true to their given information would be a great way to decide who to hire. Maybe others think that that will be invading someone’s privacy, but the company still has the right to protect their working atmosphere. Since I am taking OBHR courses at the same time, I’ve learned that things like a company’s working atmosphere are intimate resources that should be greatly valued as they led to better job performance. Therefore, I would hire someone who proved to be a person active in voluntary programs that someone who is alcoholic and bad tempered even if the latter has better job experiences.
I agree with Farah, Kim and the rest who think that social networking sites are not the right tool for companies to evaluate the applicants wholly. Since everyone has different perspective and values, the judgement about the applicants will vary. Like farah said, people use this site to communicate with family and relatives where the conversation will be informal. Communication with friends is mostly inevitable to be formal, and a person might use harsh jokes, words which are normal to them. Indeed, it just their way to keep the bonding. On the other hand, employers should be more professional in recruiting employees. Red flags like illegal use of drugs and etc. that could affect the company are acceptable to put in judgement, but not petty things.
ReplyDeleteIn the same manner, if I were an employer looking for a trustworthy partner, I would also look for how they behave on their online activities, such as Facebook and Twitter. Firstly, I might check his or her friend list to see what kind of people does the candidate usually being with. It may not show the exact information for his or herself directly, but it can reflect parts of his/her growing and education background, hobbies, interpersonal relationship, and so on. If the first impression measured up to my viewpoints, I would like to see more such like daily customs (through pictures), attention of focusing points (shares), communication skills (commends & responds), as well as manner of speaking.
ReplyDeleteRed flags & positive signs: I would not welcome people with unhealthy addictions, like taking drugs or intemperance. Moreover, I don’t like working with people who are always complaining, speaking ill of his/her former boss and workmates. I prefer chose a workmate who pays attention to things of significant (news, politics, sciences, arts and so on) rather than someone boring or meaningless. If I found someone who is really friendly and acceptable by other people, I would like to give him/her a chance.
Of course, although online activity is pretty important, it’s not the only factor to judge of one applicant. I would like to combine it with his/her abilities, achievements, and representation in the real world.
Personally I don’t agree how employees are using social network to evaluate possible candidates. I am an international student and I use social network site to keep in touch with my friends, parents and relatives from home. I even found my elementary school friends by the help of a social network website. This year I’m a senior and since the beginning of the semester I am very stressed out because of this matter. All my graduate friends, and senior friends keep telling me that I need to go over my profile, change all the security options and even change my name in case any potential companies try to search for me. Although I don’t think I look unprofessional still the issue stresses me out.
ReplyDeleteIf I were an employer who uses a social network website to check my possible employee, I would check what he likes doing, such as hobbies, activities, or sports s/he does. I would also look at the pictures of the person so I can have an idea of his/her social life.
While social networking services could help you to find old friends, meet people with similar interests, gossip about your school, work with your friends, we all have to keep in mind that These services are "designed to built" to someone else to look up and find out more about you. One of the basics we are often forgetting is cyberspace is another world that we are living in, and if you made a profile one of those social networking services, you have decided to make your self online. Once anything that gets uploaded to online is almost impossible to take it down, and even if you do so, chances are someone out there already have seen it for that split second, and might have been saved to different places. While we can't always prevent what others are posting about you, however if we take extra precaution to prevent some unpleasant contents being uploaded to "World Wild Web" or don't even take such bold movements in real life.
ReplyDeleteAs many of them mentioned above I agree with them that social networking sites are not the right tool for recruiters to evaluate the candidates. The usage of social networking sites can be vary from person to person. For example, some people may use it minimal and use other ways to communicate with others. So, it shouldn't be used as a tool to evaluate candidates' interpersonal skills. They can look up candidates on social networking websites to know more about them, but it shouldn't affect on recruiters' evaluation. Moreover, some social networking websites have privacy setting which does not allow everybody to see the website. So, it is not easy for recruiters to get information about candidates. However, if I were a recruiter looking the social networks of the potential candidate, I would only look for bad behaviors such as drug or alcohol usages.
ReplyDeleteGenerally speaking, I think social networking is a good method to recruit new employees. The first reason is social networking websites helps to build a bridge between companies and potential candidates. People always feel afraid to look new jobs online even they are not satisfies with their current situation. By building a trusting relationship with them, they will feel much more comfortable to turn in their resumes. Secondly, social networks help companies to save recruiting money since they are able to search candidates with the sills that the companies are looking for. Thirdly, companies are able to reach a much larger number of potential candidates that would otherwise have been unreachable. Lastly, social networks help companies to increase brand awareness. I think this point is quite important since brand awareness determines a brand’s success to some extent.
ReplyDeleteBasically, I agree that employers use social networks in hiring process. It is because it is too hard to decide their potential employee are good for their company only through their resume, cover letters or interviews.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why employers can know the truth of their appliers qualification is true or not. If they lied their qualification on resume or cover letters they will be careful on their webpages too.
Therefore, what the employers want to do through searching social network is not to check if the statements of their appliers are correct but look them through their daily lives and know if this person is suitable to work together.