Social media are websites and applications that allow for users to create and share information or take part in social networking. Social media allows for the rapid distribution of events going on across the world and, in many ways, is beneficial to our daily lifestyle. In today’s society, social media has become a norm and is being used by people of all age groups. Roughly 67 percent of the U.S. population engages in the use of social media. Out of the teenage population, 77 percent use social media. Teenagers engage in social networking to connect with peers and discuss the events of the day. What social media users are unaware of are the drawbacks of their social media addiction.
Employers can use social media in two different ways in the hiring process. Employers can use social media to recruit candidates and advertise the job opening. Employers can also use the sites to perform background checks to confirm a candidate’s qualifications before hiring them. Many of the employers today check social media sites and consider prospective employees’ social media activity in the job hiring process. These social sites allow for employers to consider both sides of prospective employee’s background before making the decision to hire them. Although social media is a tool in the process it should not be the sole decider. When screening job applicants, it appears that a fewer number of employers are using social media in the process. In the SHRM survey conducted in 2013, 22 percent of the responders reported that they use social sites in the job hiring process. This is a decline from the 34 percent in 2008. In order to effectively use social media as a tool in the job hiring process, employers must take certain precautions. Employers must be consistent in their use of social media in the process and not single out certain job applicants. Employers must also consider the candidate’s post and not what other people have said about them. If the employer decides not to hire the applicant, employers should keep track of the reasoning behind their decision. Through following these precautions, employers may affectively use social media as a tool in the job hiring process.
Current employees are also under constant observation as they engage in the numerous social media sites. CNN conducted an interview with 10 employees who have felt the repercussions of the negative use of social media sites. The article highlights the reasoning behind their dismissal from their jobs. This article is a perfect example of the drawbacks of social media sites in the workplace. Due to their negative posts involving things in the workplace, the employers had no choice but to dismiss the employee. Employees must be cautious of their online persona and consider the drawbacks of their actions.
Social media is a great resource and has acted as a stimulus for advances in today’s society, but can also come with many consequences. Social sites have led to the dismissal of employees and have even prevented applicants from standing a chance. Social networking sites such as Facebook and twitter are accessible to everyone and users must take this into account.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/06/living/buzzfeed-social-media-fired/
http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/teens-fact-sheet/