Major
Psychology
Minor(s)
Spanish; Human Development and Family Studies
Advisor
Paiva, Andrea, L.
Advisor Department
Psychology
Date
5-2018
Keywords
Employability; Social Media; Facebook
Abstract
The rise of social media undoubtedly has led to many benefits for its users: it allows individuals to stay in contact with family members and friends both near and far, it can serve as a medium to promote social change, and it provides users with an easily accessible space in which they can express who they are, among other things. However, despite the positive impact social media has had on society, there is also the potential for social media to negatively impact users, dependent upon how they utilize such sites. One way in which individuals can be impacted negatively by social media is in terms of employability. Numerous studies have been conducted addressing what employers are looking for when they examine a candidate’s social media accounts and whether posts can decrease their chances of being offered a job. Most research to date has surveyed employers regarding which aspects of a candidate’s social media can negatively impact the likelihood of being hired. In addition, studies have examined the rejection rates of such candidates due to the content posted on their social media. Each study that was conducted included the employer’s retrospective analysis on what content they deemed to be inappropriate, thus leading to the potential rejection of such candidate. However, studies that examine an employer’s real- time perception of job applicants based on their social media presence has not been studied in a systematic way. The current study examines the factors related to employability, including social media presence (Facebook), while holding other important factors constant (resume, interviews) in a real-time setting.