Daphne Maia

Why Employers Disregarded Candidates After Screening Online

Job seekers are cautioned to be mindful of the information they post online and how they communicate directly with employers. Thirty-five percent of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them not to hire the candidate. The top examples cited include:

Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information - 53 percent

Candidate posted content about them drinking or using drugs - 44 percent

Candidate bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients - 35 percent

Candidate showed poor communication skills - 29 percent

Candidate made discriminatory comments - 26 percent

Candidate lied about qualifications - 24 percent

Candidate shared confidential information from previous employer - 20 percent

Fourteen percent of employers have disregarded a candidate because the candidate sent a message using an emoticon such as a smiley face while 16 percent dismissed a candidate for using text language such as GR8 (great) in an e-mail or job application.

This should not come as a surprise to anyone who is worth his salt at all. With the increasing popularity of Social Networking Sites (SNS), Blogging and Micro-blogging tools, and the abundance of information available on the internet, it should not come as a surprise that the online world would be a source of information that employers turn to when checking up on a prospective employee.

It is only natural that employers want to know what they are in for, when they hire a particular candidate. Instead of trying to hide yourself (a futile attempt, really), why not try to manage your online image?