How Do You Do a Social Background Check?
To ensure a positive online presence and pass a social media background check, we’ve gathered insights from founders, strategists, and managers. From reviewing online presence and professionalism to confirming qualifications via social media, here are the top seven tips these experts shared on conducting a thorough social media background check from an HR perspective.
- Review Online Presence and Professionalism
- Evaluate the Approach to Controversy
- Monitor the Tone of Social Media Posts
- Clean Up Inappropriate Content
- Examine Posts and Content Thoroughly
- Review Public Profiles on Platforms
- Confirm Qualifications via Social Media
Review Online Presence and Professionalism
When conducting a social media background check from an HR perspective, one essential item on the checklist is to review the candidate’s privacy settings and online presence. Start by searching the candidate’s name on various social media platforms to gain insights into their public posts, comments, and interactions.
Pay attention to their language, behavior, and overall professionalism. Assess whether their online persona aligns with your company’s values and culture. It’s also crucial to respect privacy boundaries and focus on information that directly relates to their professional qualifications and conduct.
By including this item in your checklist, you can gather valuable information to evaluate a candidate’s suitability for the role while maintaining a respectful and ethical approach.
Samuel Fletcher
Co-founder, SupplyGem
Evaluate the Approach to Controversy
I would focus on constructive controversy. Rather than dismissing controversial content outright, I would examine how I engage in discussions and debates. Assessing whether I approach differing opinions respectfully, engage in thoughtful discourse, and show open-mindedness can provide insights into my ability to handle diverse perspectives professionally.
Constructive controversy can showcase critical thinking skills, the ability to navigate challenging conversations, and a willingness to consider alternative viewpoints. This assessment helps determine if I can contribute positively to a diverse and inclusive work environment that values respectful dialogue and collaboration.
Josh Amishav
Founder and CEO, Breachsense
Monitor the Tone of Social Media Posts
When conducting a social media background check from an HR perspective, one key element I’d be on the lookout for is the general tone and attitude of the posts. Specifically, I’d be checking for consistent negativity. Regularly engaging in negative or contentious exchanges, or frequently venting about issues, can be a red flag.
While everyone has off days and may express their opinion, a habitual pattern of negativity, especially complaining about a current or previous employer, can suggest a potentially disruptive influence.
It’s important for a workplace to maintain a positive and harmonious environment, and persistent negativity can be detrimental to team morale and productivity. So, ensuring that a potential hire displays a positive or at least balanced social media presence would definitely be on my checklist.
Juliet Dreamhunter
Founder, Juliety
Clean Up Inappropriate Content
When conducting a social media background check on yourself, the first thing on your checklist should be to examine your profiles for inappropriate or offensive content. This includes pictures, posts, comments, or any other content that may violate company policies or offend potential colleagues or clients.
Ensure that your public and private profiles are clean and professional. Deleting any questionable content before conducting the search can save both time and embarrassment. Remember, social media is often the first impression you make on potential employers and colleagues, so it is essential to maintain a positive and professional online presence.
Anirban Saha
Founder, MrPlanter
Examine Posts and Content Thoroughly
When conducting a social media background check, surveying the posts and content shared online is important. This scrutiny allows for a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s perspectives, preferences, and conduct.
By delving into their digital footprint, we gain valuable insights into their personality and beliefs, enabling a more informed assessment of their suitability. A thorough analysis of posts and content is a significant piece in assessing an individual’s online presence.
It sheds light on their thoughts, opinions, and activities, providing a valuable context for evaluating their potential impact within a professional context.
Peter Reagan
Financial Market Strategist, Birch Gold Group
Review Public Profiles on Platforms
One essential item on my checklist to conduct a social media background check from an HR perspective is to review public profiles on various social media platforms. This involves examining the overall image I present to potential employers. I assess the content I have shared, including posts, photos, and comments, to ensure they align with professional standards and reflect positively on my character and capabilities.
I look for any content that could be deemed inappropriate, offensive, or inconsistent with the values and culture of the organizations I am targeting. I evaluate the privacy settings of my accounts to ensure that personal information is appropriately protected and only visible to intended audiences.
By thoroughly reviewing my public profiles, I can gain valuable insights into how my online presence may be perceived by employers and take the steps to shape a positive and professional image.
Jason Cheung
Operations Manager, Credit KO
Confirm Qualifications via Social Media
A social media background check is a great supplementary tool to confirm a candidate’s qualifications and education. Some applicants will go to great lengths to land a job. Lying on resumes is a common practice. Sad but true. Therefore, confirming the applicant’s stated qualifications is crucial to social media background checks.
Look for evidence of their achievements shared in their profiles or their interactions with others. It helps HR specialists make more informed hiring decisions and find honest candidates who are the right professional fit for the job more quickly.
Still, social media background checks shouldn’t be the sole determining factor in the qualification confirmation process. I recommend treating them as supplementary tools and cross-referencing the information provided to ensure authenticity.
Agata Szczepanek
Community Manager, MyPerfectResume
Submit Your Answer
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