Social Media Snooping: It Works Both Ways

Earlier this week I was asked on Twitter if I would recommend that recruiters use social media to evaluate prospects. As employers and recruiters have embraced social media as a tool in their recruitment strategy it has become more acceptable to view candidate profiles. However, ethics and legalities have always been called into question on the topic and best practice recommends to draw a distinction between professional and personal profiles, as well as let candidates know in advance. The CIPD even has a publication, Pre-employment checks: an employer’s guide which devotes a whole section to social media in recruitment. The guide contains tips on how to stay on the right side of the law, especially around discrimination and data protection and other good principles to bear in mind.