According to a survey described in this article from CareerBuilder.com (which I found on Everton’s blog), one in four hiring managers have used search engines to find out more about prospective new hires.
When asked to divulge the types of information discovered on the Web that caused them to dismiss potential employees, hiring managers pointed to the following:
- 31% - candidate lied about qualifications
- 25% - candidate had poor communication skills
- 24% - candidate was linked to criminal behavior
- 19% - candidate bad-mouthed their previous company or fellow employee
- 19% - candidate posted information about them drinking or using drugs
- 15% - candidate shared confidential information from previous employers
- 12% - candidate lied about an absence
- 11% - candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs
- 8% - candidate’s screen name was unprofessional
Hiring managers said the following information discovered on the Web helped to confirm their decision to hire a candidate:
- 64% - candidate’s background information supported their professional qualifications for the job
- 40% - candidate was well-rounded, showed a wide range of interests
- 34% - candidate had great communication skills
- 31% - candidate’s site conveyed a professional image
- 31% - got a good feel for the candidate’s personality, could see a good fit within the company culture
- 23% - other people posted great references about the candidate
- 23% - candidate was creative
- 19% - candidate received awards and accolades