Has social media screening for jobs become a norm? Let’s be real, the screening goes both ways. Individuals go through a company’s socials to decide if they’d be good to work for. Similarly, employers too, are now looking through socials of candidates to get a fuller picture of potential hires.
In a world where personal and professional lives spill onto social platforms, it’s no wonder social media screening has become part of pre-employment checks. After all, CVs and interviews can only show so much.
So, what does your social media signal to your next boss? Learn more about the key traits employers typically assess.
Do you have good judgement?
The first thing employers keep an eye out for is behaviour that may signal a lack of good judgement. This includes common red flags and inappropriate content, such as:
- Offensive or discriminatory posts
- Hate speech
- Sexually explicit content
- Drug or alcohol abuse
Such content can raise concerns about your values, maturity, or ability to represent the organisation appropriately.
Are you committed to what you do?
Next, employers look for signs that show your level of professionalism, interest, and commitment to your field of work:
- Share or comment on industry-related content
- Follow thought leaders or reputable organisations
- Participate in conferences, workshops, or seminars
- Demonstrate curiosity and growth
Do your values align with the firm’s culture?
While culture shouldn’t be judged solely through social media, it provides clues about how well someone might blend into the organisation. To build cohesive teams, employers may assess your online presence to check for cultural fit and look for:
- Posts showing shared values or interests
- Causes or communities you support
- Communication tone that’s positive or collaborative
- Lifestyle or hobby choices that reflect potential team fit
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Are you who you say you are?
Social platforms sometimes double as portfolios, allowing employers to verify your credentials and career credibility. This helps confirm that the information in your application is accurate and provide more context on your capabilities. For instance, employers may screen to gauge or verify your:
- Work experience and job titles
- Certifications and achievements
- Awards or recognitions
- Projects or volunteer work
Can you communicate clearly?
Clear, thoughtful communication is a strong indicator of workplace readiness and how you communicate online can reflect how you might interact at work. Employers may check if you have:
- Clear and concise communication
- Respectful and meaningful discussions
- Professionalism in comments and replies
- Constructive versus confrontational communication
Using social media screening responsibly
Social media screening can reveal additional clues about a candidate’s personality, attitude, and professional potential. However, it must still be done carefully and respectfully. Employers must follow legal and ethical guidelines to ensure fairness and avoid making decisions around protected characteristics like race, religion, age, disability, and more.
When used thoughtfully and responsibly, social media screening can help strengthen hiring decisions, identify high-potential talent, and ensure employers and employees share similar values and expectations.
This article is contributed by RMI.
