A 2017 Harris Poll survey for CareerBuilder found employers didn’t hire a candidate because they discovered the following on social media:
- Posted provocative or inappropriate photographs, videos or information: 39%
- Posted information about them drinking or using drugs: 38%
- Posted discriminatory comments related to race, gender, religion: 32%
- Bad-mouthed their previous company or fellow employee: 30%
- Lied about qualifications: 27%
- Had poor communication skills: 27%
- Was linked to criminal behavior: 26%
- Shared confidential information from previous employers: 23%
- Screen name was unprofessional: 22%
- Lied about an absence: 17%
- Posted too frequently: 17%
Reasons employers hired candidates because of their social media profiles:
- Background information supported their professional qualifications: 38%
- Great communication skills: 37%
- Professional image: 36%
Creativity: 35%