ENGINEERINGNET.EU - Almost one in five technology industry executives say that a candidate’s social media profile has caused them not to hire that person.
This is revealed in the 2012 annual technology market survey conducted by Eurocom Worldwide, the Global PR Network, in association with its member agencies around the world.
The annual Eurocom Worldwide study has previously found that almost 40% of respondents’ companies check out potential employees’ profiles on social media sites but this is the first evidence that candidates are actually being rejected because of them.
“The 21st century human is learning that every action leaves an indelible digital trail. In the years ahead many of us will be challenged by what we are making public in various social forums today,” said Mads Christensen, Network Director at Eurocom Worldwide.
“The fact that one in five applicants disqualify themselves from an interview because of content in the social media sphere is a warning to job seekers and a true indicator of the digital reality we now live in.”
The most popular social media platform for technology companies is LinkedIn (74%), whilst 67% of technology firms tweet, 64% have a Facebook presence and 56% are on YouTube.
Only half of respondents surveyed say that their company has a formal process for listening to what is said about them in social media. (picture: Eurocom)
BACKGROUNDER
The Eurocom Worldwide technology confidence survey was conducted online by member agencies of Eurocom Worldwide during January and February 2012. A total of 318 responses were received with approximately 80% from European countries and 11% from the Americas.
