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Contractors should watch what they post on social networking sites

Published on Jan 13, 2010 |

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Contractors should be careful what they post information on social networking sites as most employers now research potential candidates online.

This is the conclusion of a recent survey of over 450 employers, conducted by CareerBuilder.co.uk.

According the the research, 53% of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates, and another 12% plan to start using social networking sites for screening.

Of those who conduct online searches/background checks of job candidates, 43% use search engines, 12% use Facebook and 12% use LinkedIn. Three per cent search blogs, while an additional 4% follow candidates on Twitter.

When employers has disregarded candidates after online screening, the most common complaints where that the candidate lied about their qualifications (38%), showed poor communication skills (31%), or made discriminatory comments (13%)

On the flip side, with more and more jobseekers using the "new technology" to optimise their chances of finding work, some of the reasons why employers hired candidates after online screening include; the online profile supported the candidate's professional qualifications (61%), and the candidate showed solid communication skills (41%).

Farhan Yasin, President of CareerBuilder EMEA, also provided some handy tips to people who use social networking sites:

How to keep a positive online image

1) DO clean up digital dirt BEFORE you begin your job search. Remove any photos, content and links that can work against you in an employer's eyes.

2) DO consider creating your own professional group on sites like Facebook or BrightFuse.com to establish relationships with thought leaders, recruiters and potential referrals.

3) DO keep gripes offline. Keep the content focused on the positive, whether that relates to professional or personal information. Makes sure to highlight specific accomplishments inside and outside of work.

4) DON'T forget others can see your friends, so be selective about who you accept as friends. Monitor comments made by others. Consider using the "block comments" feature or setting your profile to "private" so only designated friends can view it.

5) DON'T mention your job search if you're still employed.