More than half of employers won't hire someone they can't find online
If you think keeping your online presence to an absolute minimum will make you more attractive to employers, then you're going about the job search all wrong.
CareerBuilder surveyed more than 2,300 managers, and found that 70 percent of employers said they use social media to screen candidates, and 57 percent of employers said they are less likely to interview a candidate they can't find online.
"Most workers have some sort of online presence today — and more than half of employers won't hire those without one," said Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer at CareerBuilder, in a statement. "This shows the importance of cultivating a positive online persona."
Further proof of the role an online presence plays in the hiring process: 30 percent of employers said they have employees whose specific task is dedicated to helping with social recruiting.
So what exactly are employers looking for when they view your online profile?
According to the results:
- 61 percent are looking for information that supports your qualifications for the job
- 50 percent are looking to see if you have an online professional persona
- 37 percent are looking for what other people are saying about you
- 24 percent are looking for any red flags that will lead them to not hire you
While it may be hard to create an online profile that translates to both your personal and professional life, results from the study showed that any signs of discriminatory comments, bashing a former employer, criminal behavior or even posting too frequently can contribute to a company not wanting you on staff.
As the CEO of Camping World and the host of CNBC's "The Profit," entrepreneur Marc Lemonis' social media advice echoes that of many employers who urge candidates to be conscientious about how they use the medium and what they post.
While offering social media tips to President Trump, Lemonis said he hopes that "anybody, including our president, just uses the tool effectively to deliver good news and bad news always with full transparency."
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