Be very careful what information you put on social networks – that's the message from new Microsoft research into the ways HR managers work.
According to the findings, 64% of HR managers think it's perfectly acceptable to use social networks to research job applicants. It's an important figure to bear in mind - especially as only 41% of jobseekers felt they had a responsibility to protect their reputation online.
In other words, if you're a jobseeker and you've posted material online that you wouldn't like a potential employer to see - it might be time to remove it. Especially as jobs in many sectors are still very scarce.
Interestingly, it's the Human Resources managers in the UK who are most likely to reject candidates on the basis of online material. 41% said they did, compared to only 16% in Germany or 14% in France.
So, if you're looking for a job, you need to either sanitise your online presence, or move to the continent. Or both.
Don't forget: online reputation management is important for companies as well as individuals. If you have negative stories or material cropping up in the search engine results, talk to our SEO team about ways they might be able to help.
