The Usage of Social Media Networks as a Tool by Employers to Screen Job Candidates

Social Network Sites (SNS) have become an important tool in our daily lives and many organizations nowadays especially in the west are utilizing it as a business tool especially in the context of employers using these SNS to screen job candidates. This is because recruiting a candidate based on their resume and a 10-15 minutes interview does not paint a complete picture of the candidate’s suitability for the job. This recruiting process is also slowly but surely catching up in local context in Malaysia. Thus, this study examines firstly, the usage of SNS as a possible tool by employers to screen job candidates during the recruitment process and secondly, the awareness of potential job candidates/employees on its impact. Utilizing a mixed-methodology approach using descriptive design and interviews, 70 companies and 120 final year students from universities in the Klang Valley in Malaysia participated in the study. The findings show that 61.5% of Malaysian companies view potential candidates’ SNS profiles in order to gain greater knowledge of the candidates and 89.2% of final year students are aware of employers’ ability to screen candidates based on their SNS profiles. The most common reasons for employers to reject candidates based on their SNS profiles are lying about qualifications, postings related to drug consumption and posting of negative remarks or comments against past employers. Prospective employees need to be aware that their behaviour is being monitored through their SNS profiles and the information extracted has a great influence on their job prospects.