In this day and age, where information is so prevalent and available there is no reason why a hiring manager shouldn’t be utilizing it to help during the hiring process. In fact, according to a study by CareerBuilder, nearly 70% of employers use social media sites to screen candidates and 57% are less likely to schedule an interview for a candidate that does not have a visible online presence.

Where to Start?

Social media sites allow the hiring manager to see the full picture of a candidate. Through posts, pictures and even online reviews, hiring managers can see far beyond what a resume shows. Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter are the top social sites to search for information on candidates. Aside from social media sites, employers also have access to regular search engines like Google to research candidates as well.

Why Online Screening is Important

Seeing the information that candidates post online could either positively or negatively affect the hiring decision. Most hiring managers screen for good communication skills, discriminatory content, and most importantly, if their online content supports the qualifications and experience they listed on their resume. Resumes and interviews show a very small scale of who a person is and how they operate. Using social media sites as part of your screening process will offer more insight into each potential candidate. Online candidate searches can allow a hiring manager to possibly confirm both good and potentially hazardous attributes about a candidate before an offer is extended.

Background checks, employment verification and reference checks on a potential candidate are just a few ways to verify a good hire. As a hiring manager, if you are interested in a potential candidate and really want to get to know them, checking a candidates Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media pages is a good way to get a personal profile. Seeing how a candidate acts in a casual setting will give you insight into how they will be as a professional. Use any avenue available to fully vet a potential hire.