http://trendhr.wordpress.com/2010/11/30/social-networks-provide-clues-to-decision-making-in-the-hiring-process/

The use of social networking websites grew in every age group from 2009 to 2010, according to a Pew Research Center survey, “Internet & American Life Project Survey,” and cited in a white paper, “The Effects of Social Networks on Employment.”

The survey results include: in the age range of 18-to-29, social networking use grew from 76% to 86%; in the 30-to-49 age range, use grew from 48% to 61%; in the 50-to-64 age range, use grew from 25% to 47%; and for 65 and older, it grew from 13% to 26%.

Because more people are using social networking websites, the white paper suggests that more employers are turning to social networking sites to help with the hiring process. According to the white paper, written by StormStaff, “Hiring managers believe that candidate social networking profiles can be very helpful in providing a more well-rounded view of these job candidates, and it can also be a great help in finding the best qualified candidates for a job while screening out those who may not be such a good fit.”

The white paper noted that the most popular social networking sites searched by employers for information about prospective employees were Facebook, LinkedIn, and MySpace (in that order), as reported in a 2009 CareerBuilder survey. The white paper also stated that jobseekers report that they search for job listings (35%), facts about organizations (26%), and information about career paths within the organizations (23%).

Screening Job Candidates

Some reasons reported in the CareerBuilder survey that led employers to screen out candidates based on what they found on the candidates’ social networking profiles included:

• Provocative/inappropriate photographs or information—53%
• Content about drinking or using drugs—44%
• Bad-mouthing of previous employers, co-workers, or clients—35%
• Evidence of poor communication skills—29%
• Discriminatory comments—26%
• Misrepresentation of qualifications—24%

The white paper also reported that CareerBuilder found that 18% of hiring managers said that the content they found on social networking sites convinced them to hire the candidate.