According to new research from Monster.co.uk, 36% of UK HR professionals surveyed said they had declined to interview a candidate, or had rejected an applicant they had already interviewed, after checking their social media posts.

The research also shows that 56% of UK employers admit that candidates’ online profiles actively influence their hiring decisions, while 65% of employers Googled prospective employees.

Moreover, 28% of jobseekers said their view of an organisation was influenced by what they read about it on job review websites and they were less likely to apply if they formed an unfavourable impression.

 “More and more employees and employers are looking for a good cultural fit, so often a Google search will tell a recruiter more than a CV can,” Andy Sumner, managing director for Monster UK & Ireland, said. “Candidates should think about what they use each channel for – whether personal or professional – to build a profile for themselves. The same applies to employers. The external employer brand of a business is really significant when attracting talent – so recruiters should think of the image they are projecting as an organisation, as well as spending time using social media to understand their interviewees.”   

Nearly half, or 48% of jobseekers are conscious of how their online reputation looks to potential employers, and 20% said they are very aware of how their online reputation could impact on job prospects. This compares to 33% who either do not care or think about their social media persona.