Are you applying? Don't come across as smug on your Facebook page. Also, don't express your strong opinion on potentially controversial topics. According to Penn State researchers, recruiters are less likely to select candidates who are too self-centered or opinionated in their social media posts. The team also found that recruiters are less likely to hire employees who post content that suggests drug or alcohol use.
The team recruited 436 executives from various organizations, 61% of whom were in the hospitality industry and the rest in industries ranging from information technology to healthcare. The researchers gave participants a scenario to read with a hypothetical job applicant who answered interview questions well and displayed enthusiasm, but also seemed to be sensitive to a job. They then asked the participants to rate components of the candidates' Facebook profiles and rate their fitness for work.
Each of the participants was randomly assigned to view one of 16 different Facebook profiles showing a man or woman with smugness or not, quirkiness or not, and alcohol and drug use or not. After reading these profiles, the hiring managers evaluated the suitability of the candidates for their job by providing an assessment of the suitability of the person and the organization and an overall evaluation of the candidates.
The researchers found that self-righteousness negatively impacted recruiters' perceptions of candidates' suitability for their job and that self-righteousness was more important than whimsy or drug and alcohol use in driving these negative perceptions. The team also found that quirkiness negatively impacted the perception of fitness for work.
Finally, the team found that content suggesting alcohol and drug use negatively affected managers' perceptions of fitness for work, although the effect was much smaller than for smugness and self-will.
The researchers conclude that people should refrain from posting content on social networking sites that suggest self-righteousness, idiosyncrasy and alcohol and drug use while looking for a job.
