October 7, 2009
Edited and Written by Ira S. Wolfe
Published by Success Performance Solutions. Major Sponsor,
2008 Best Places to Work In Pennsylvania
What's Inside this issue of The TotalView:
1. 55% of employers use social networks to check on candidates
2. Perfect Labor Storm Warnings
3. Interview/Selection Rapid Skills Building
4. eSKill Office Skill Testing
5. Quotes from the Hire Authorities
1. 55% of employers use social networks to check on candidates
More employers are utilizing social networking sites to screen potential employees. Forty-five percent of employers reported in a recent CareerBuilder survey that they use social networking sites to research job candidates, a big jump from 22 percent last year. Another 11 percent plan to start using social networking sites for screening.
Of those who conduct online searches/background checks of job candidates, 29 percent use Facebook, 26 percent use LinkedIn and 21 percent use MySpace. One-in-ten (11 percent) search blogs while 7 percent follow candidates on Twitter.
What did 35 percent of employers find that caused them to "knock-out" candidates after searching online? The top examples cited include:
- Candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information - 53 percent
- Candidate posted content about them drinking or using drugs - 44 percent
- Candidate bad-mouthed their previous employer, co-workers or clients - 35 percent
- Candidate showed poor communication skills - 29 percent
- Candidate made discriminatory comments - 26 percent
- Candidate lied about qualifications - 24 percent
- Candidate shared confidential information from previous employer - 20 percent
Fourteen percent of employers have disregarded a candidate because the candidate sent a message using an emoticon such as a smiley face while 16 percent dismissed a candidate for using text language such as GR8 (great) in an e-mail or job application.
On the other hand, 18 percent of employers found online screening helpful and they hired candidates using the information as part of the selection process.
The top examples include:
- Profile provided a good feel for the candidate's personality and fit - 50 percent
- Profile supported candidate's professional qualifications - 39 percent
- Candidate was creative - 38 percent
- Candidate showed solid communication skills - 35 percent
- Candidate was well-rounded - 33 percent
- Other people posted good references about the candidate - 19 percent
- Candidate received awards and accolades - 15 percent
Is it fair and valid to use information found on a social networking site to hire or not hire? What relevance does what one does on their personal time have to do with ability to perform at work?
What do you think? Share your comments here.
Perfect Labor Storm Warnings 
The growth rate of the Latino population increased 24.3% between 2000 and 2006 while the U.S. population grew only 6.1%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
For more workforce and hiring trends. subscribe to the Perfect Labor Storm 2.0 blog.
Purchase the NEW Perfect Labor Storm 2.0 books (soft and hard cover versions) at PerfectLaborStorm.com.
Interviewing/Selection: A Rapid Skills Building eLearning Course
The Wall Street Journal teams up each year with Winning Workplaces, an Evanston, Ill., nonprofit that helps small and midsize companies create better work environments, to identify 15 small employers who have built some of the most exemplary, innovative workplaces.
We were thrilled to learn last week that Mike's Car Wash, a 5-year user of our Clues users was honored and recognized as one of Top Small Workplaces 2009.
In an article published in the September 28, 2009 edition of the Wall Street Journal, Mike's Car Wash was cited for achieving "stellar service by rigorously vetting even entry-level job candidates and then reducing turnover through heavy training and incentives....If there's anything we've learned the hard way, it's that turnover hurts profits and customer service," says Bill Dahm, chief executive and co-owner of the second-generation family business.
The company hires roughly one of every 100 applicants. All candidates are interviewed by at least two people and take two computerized tests: one gauging personality and one testing basic math skills. (While not mentioned by name, Mike's has been using People Clues, both CandidClues and JobClues.
We congratulate Mike's Car Wash and wish them continued success.
Social Media and Manager Training for the "Wired and Tired"
Attention Meeting Planners, Program Chairs, HR Professionals
Don't miss out on the opportunity to schedule Ira S Wolfe for your next meeting on one of the following hot topics:
Geeks, Geezers, and Googlization
When Boomers and Young Workers Collide
Social Media 101: Link Me, Tweet Me, Nudge Me
Marketing Your Business: Using Facebook
Learn more about these seminars. Contact us today.
Test for Office Skills Accurate & Affordable
eSkill assessments are an effective method of ensuring your candidates have the skills needed for your jobs before an extensive interview process. eSkill's online testing tool creates valid, job-based tests by combining multiple subjects and skill levels as needed into a single assessment.
- Accounting
- Bookkeeping
- Arithmetic
- English and grammar
Click here to learn more
Quotes from Hire Authorities
"Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves."
Carl Jung
| |
|
Follow us on |
Permission is granted to consultants, managers, business owners and
HR professionals to reproduce content from this newsletter for your
internal publications, or to distribute copies to your workforce, on
the condition that you reproduce the credits and contact information
as follows: "Reprinted with permission from Ira S Wolfe and Success
Performance Solutions. Copyright 2008 Ira S Wolfe." We also hope you
will forward the newsletter in its entirety and recommend to others
that they subscribe.
Ira S. Wolfe Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved. Reprints and other distribution by permission only. |
