The rise of social media as a recruitment tool

By Luke Anami

Employers are no longer simply satisfied with the experience and academic qualifications of potential recruits; they also want to know what they really are like in a social setting. 

Human resource professionals are now warning potential employees to be careful about what they post on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms as it could make or break their ambitions.

“While Facebook may not be used to judge your qualifications and abilities, employers who wish to recruit staff to work in specific departments such as information and communication technology will turn to social sites to vet your integrity and views,” Dominic Muteshi, the Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority HR manager, said in an interview with The Standard.

And using a false name on these platforms may not necessarily help you escape scrutiny.

“If you want to know how an applicant behaves socially these days, you just ask them to open their Facebook accounts,” said an HR manager who did not want to be identified as she is not authorised to comment on her company’s policies.

 “We are using social media because the social scene has changed drastically and we do not want to take chances. Recruitment is an expensive exercise.”

Invaluable information

These social media platforms are providing invaluable information on attitudes that may destabilise a team or create an oppressive office environment.

For instance, after the March 4 elections, some Facebook users used the relative anonymity provided on the site to spew tribal insults. And since the Internet never forgets, such people may have a difficult time convincing recruiters that they can work in a multicultural environment.