Summer Jobs and Social Media Screening: Why It’s Still Important

Summer is right around the corner! It’s almost time to fire up the grill, start to look at Airbnbs at the beach, and loosen up a bit, right? Well, absolutely! But for businesses, summer doesn’t necessarily mean hitting pause on recruitment. In fact, with seasonal hiring in full swing, summer can be a busy time for HR departments. That’s where social media background checks come in.

Why Are Social Media Background Checks Important for New Employees?

Background checks may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of summer fun. But this time of year actually presents some excellent opportunities to leverage the power of social media screening. Here’s why Ferretly’s social media screening solution is a brilliant idea:

Summer Jobs Can Lead to Permanent Roles

Many summer hires become fantastic long-term employees. A quick social media check across all 7 major social platforms can help you identify potential risky behaviors early on, saving you time and resources down the line.

Seasonal Spikes Mean More Applicants

With an influx of applications, it’s even more crucial to have an efficient screening process. Social media checks can provide valuable insights into a candidate’s work ethic, professionalism, and cultural fit, complementing your traditional screening methods.

Protecting Your Reputation

Summer is often a time for travel and increased online activity. A candidate’s social media presence can reveal potential concerns that could impact your company’s brand - and safety of your customers - if left unchecked.

Increased Hiring Needs

Many businesses ramp up their hiring efforts during the summer months to accommodate increased demand or to fill positions left vacant by employees taking time off. Social media background checks can help streamline the hiring process by quickly vetting candidates and identifying any potential risky behaviors before making job offers.

More Online Activity

During the summer months, people tend to be more active on social media, sharing updates, photos, and experiences from their vacations and leisure activities. This increased online presence can provide a more comprehensive view of an individual’s digital footprint, allowing for a more thorough assessment during the background check process.

Why Check Current Employees with Social Media Screening

Social media screening is not only beneficial for vetting potential new hires, but it’s also a valuable tool for monitoring the online presence and behavior of current employees. Here are a few key points to consider:

Evolving Employee Sentiments

While social media checks are commonly conducted during the hiring process, it’s equally important to screen your current workforce regularly. People’s views, attitudes, and online conduct can evolve over time, potentially impacting their alignment with your company’s values and culture.

Protecting Your Company Brand

Having the ability to re-screen in near real-time can mitigate the risk of damaging your company brand. It is important to ensure that the employees who represent your company communicate respectfully. One inapproriate social media post from an employee can cause brand damage and monetary consequences.

Avoid Political Minefields with Social Media Screening

With current political events, such as the upcoming 2024 presidential elections, the ongoing global conflicts regarding Russia and Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas War, and the protests at college campuses around the United States, surfacing political speech is paramount. A single insensitive or inappropriate social media post can quickly escalate into an HR crisis. Not only can these posts potentially damage a company’s reputation, but they can also negatively affect your company’s workforce culture.

Maximize Summer Hires and Protect Your Brand with Social Media Background Checks

Don’t let the allure of summer activities distract you from maintaining a positive, efficient, and cohesive team. By conducting preliminary screenings of new candidates and monthly re-screenings of current employees, you demonstrate your commitment to upholding your company’s social media standards, fostering a supportive work culture, and safeguarding your brand’s reputation.

To learn more about Ferretly’s AI-Powered Social Media Screening solution, set up a demonstration today or reach out at sales@ferretly.com.

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