Social Media Screening has been growing in popularity among many businesses. Surveys conducted in 2020 show that between 90% and 98% of employers surveyed use social media to screen candidates; 79% of HR professionals have denied a candidate due to inappropriate social media content.
These companies have discovered that social media screening may uncover information that cannot be easily obtained elsewhere — including potentially illegal activity, violent attitudes or behaviors, racism, intolerance, and sexually explicit material.
Detecting Problematic Behavior and Attitudes When Screening Candidates
Detecting problematic behavior and attitudes before a hiring decision is made can reduce the threats of lawsuits, safeguard brands and company reputations, and even protect employees, contractors and customers from harassment and even physical harm.
The sheer size and scope of the internet and the ubiquity of social media make it a rich area for investigation. There are 192 million people on social media in the United States alone, and approximately seven out of 10 U.S. adults are members of a single social network: Facebook. Moreover, that total represents but a fraction of the overall internet universe, which includes everything from blogs, online forums and business directories to dating networks.
In the words of one expert ...
No other [form of] background screening provides the level of behavioral data and insights into workplace safety than social media.
Let CIC Conduct FCRA-Compliant Social Media Searches for Your Company
From hiring managers to HR directors to CEOs, you may be putting your company at risk if you are “Googling” your candidates in-house. Best practice is to have a third party conduct social media screenings and monitoring social media activity on your behalf.
Consider letting CIC do it for you. Not only will it save you time, it will limit the risk of a negligent hire and prevent you from unintentionally applying bias to your employment decision.
To learn more, contact Kristy Dutton at
For more information about this article, or general Employment Screening Services, please contact us at 1.800.573.2201 / 419.874.2201.
