Impact of Traditional and Internet/Social Media Screening Mechanisms on Employers’ Perceptions of Job Applicants

This study examined employers’ perspectives of applicants’ employability via traditional methods (resume, job interviews, etc.) and nontraditional methods (internet/social media). Drawing from qualitative interviews with employers, results showed that older employers only checked candidates once online, whereas younger employers checked candidates multiple times. Respondents cited the internet/social media as an inexpensive way to conduct a cursory background check on job applicants. But they mostly used the internet/social media to weed out applicants, not to be more inclusive with applicant pools. Implications for employers and job applicants are discussed.