Social Media & Digital Dirt	
Social Media & Digital Dirt (page 1 of 2)	
What can be a deal breaker for landing a new job?  An employer survey from CareerBuilder found 
answers to this question to help job seekers.  First, employers said to 
make sure your online "persona" (the 
part of yourself you present to the world) is free of digital dirt!  Why?  Because 77% of employers use 
the internet to discover information about job seekers beyond the applic
ation and resume.  And, 57% of 
employers said they found content that caused them to not hire a job see
ker.  Which social media sites do 
employers use? 
•  50% of employers use Google  or other internet search engines to research job seekers
•  82% of employers will research the job seeker on  social media sites
•  25% will read the job seekers comments on  Yelp or other rating site
What "digital dirt" are employers finding on social media sites that is causing 
them to eliminate job seekers from consideration?  Here are some example
s: 
•  40%  Job seeker posted inappropriate photos or information
•  36%  Job seeker posted about them drinking or using drugs
•  31%  Job seeker had unkind comments related to race, religion, etc.
•  27%  Employer discovered lies about job seeker's qualifications and skills
•  27%  Job seeker displayed poor writing skills and punctuation
•  25%  Job seeker bad-mouthed their previous supervisor or coworkers
•  20%  Job seeker shared secret information from previous employers
•  22%  Job seeker was linked to criminal behavior 
•  22%  Job seeker's screen name was unprofessional
•  16%  Employer discovered job seeker lied about a work absence
Here are some examples of  bad things employers saw that caused a job seeker to be rejected:
•  Job seeker's profile included links to an escort service
•  Job seeker posted a photo of a warrant for his arrest
•  Job seeker featured a pig as his closest friend
•  Job seeker bragged about driving drunk and not getting caught
•  Job seeker posted "wild" pictures from Sasqutch (Big Foot) and other f
estivals
Employers said they found  good things that made them more likely to hire the 
person.  Here are some reasons employers gave for hiring a job seeker:
•  46%  Got a view of job seeker's personality and saw a fit with our company
•  45%  Job seeker's posted information supported the application and resume
•  43%  Job seeker’s site displayed a professional image on social media
•  40%  Job seeker displayed great communication and writing skills
•  36%  Job seeker was creative in a positive way
•  31%  Job seeker received awards, certificates, and accolades (praises)
•  30%  Other people posted great comments about the job seeker

Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.  
1. Define "persona."
2.  What percent of employers  use the internet to 
discover information about job seekers ?
3.  What percent of employers found content that 
caused them to not hire a job seeker?
4.  If you were an employer, list 3 social media 
sites you would use to check out job seekers.
5.  List 5 examples of digital dirt employers found 
on social media sites that is causing them to 
eliminate job seekers from consideration.
6.  List 3 bad things that caused a job seeker to be 
rejected for a job offer.
7.  List 3 good things that made employers more 
likely to hire the person.
8.  According to Rosemary Haefner, what 2 things 
are important for job seekers to remember?
9.  According to Haefner, what 2 things can you do 
to take control of your web presence?
10.  a) Does social media monitoring stop after 
hire?  b) What percent of employers use social 
QUICK CHECK:	
Social Media & Digital Dirt (page 2 of 2)	
"It is important for job seekers to remember that what they post to the 
internet — and what 
others post about them   — can help or hurt their chances of getting hired," said Rosemary 
Haefner, Vice President at CareerBuilder.  "Job seekers need to pay attention to privacy 
updates from all their social media accounts so they know what informati
on is out there for 
others to see.  Take control of your web presence by limiting who can post to your profile —  and check posts you have been tagged in."
Social Media Investigating Does Not Stop After Hire
Employers continue to monitor (watch) workers' social media even after
 hire.  
48% of employers say they use social media to research current workers —
 
10% of employers research workers daily.  34% of employers found content online that caused them to 
discipline or fire a worker.  To improve your social media persona:
•  Search your name on the internet social media sites to see what an employer may see.
•  Review your privacy settings:  Social media sites change privacy settings that may lead 
to a change in your privacy settings.  Check privacy setting for your ac
counts monthly.
•  Showcase your skills:  Social media gives you an opportunity to show evidence that you 
are as good worker by posting comments about your certificates, awards, volunteer work, academic 
skills, hobby, positive comments from others.  Put information where it can be seen b
y employers.
•  Keep tabs on friends:  Just because you are being careful does not mean your friends are carefu
l.  
•  Watch what others post on your profile  — and where you are tagged —  to protect your online image.	
media to research current workers?  c) What 
percent of employers research workers daily?
  d) What percent found content online that 
caused them to discipline or fire a worker?
11.  To improve your social media persona, for what 
should you search on the internet?
12.  Explain why you need to check your privacy 
setting monthly.
13.  a) For what does social media give you an 
  opportunity?  b) List 4 things you can post as 
evidence that you are a good worker.
14.  If you are careful, will your friends be careful?
15.  What 2 things do you need to watch?
16.  a) Before you apply for a job, do you think you 
need to spend time to clean up any digital dirt 
that may appear on the internet about you?  
  b) Give a reason for your answer.
17.  Pretend you are a manager of a auto dealer -
ship and need to evaluate sales workers.  When 
you check each worker's social media sites, list 
3 things that will make you want to give the 
worker fewer hours, or fire the worker.