What do companies know about me? The power of social networks

Social networks and the Internet have become part of the relationship between companies and employees.

In another article we talked about how today, people with whom we have less contact can attribute a personality, character or way of being to us based on the content we generate on social networks, although this has dubious validity.

However, this assessment is not only found in the people who follow us on Facebook or Instagram. The possibility of getting to know ourselves better through the data contained in the social networks has also reached large companies and their recruitment departments.

Social networks and recruitment processes in companies

Social networks are a widely used tool in the selection processSocial networks are a widely used tool in selection processes, as they provide free information about the person applying for the position. According to the data collected in the fifth edition of the 'Infoempleo-Adecco Social Networks and Labor Market Report', 86% of companies consult the social networks of shortlisted candidates before making a hiring decision.

This report also shows that 47% of candidates with an account or accounts in social networks have been contacted by social media in relation to a job offer on at least one occasion. on at least one occasion. The professional social network par excellence is Linkedin, being the best considered network (67%) in the positive assessment of social networks as a channel for attracting and selecting talent, which rises to 92%.

The location of the profile on the Internet is mostly used in the recruitment phase before starting the selection processes, which implies that the information present can be used as a filter to discard or, on the contrary, as a filter of suitability for a particular position.

Mainly aspects related to the career and curriculum vitae are sought.. However, who knows if the recruiter's search to check your background may find information about your profile that contradicts your CV, or shows negative comments about former colleagues, confirm membership in extremist groups, political affiliations, high-risk hobbies, or in extreme cases, content that advocates violence, discrimination or promotion of alcohol and/or drug use. In short, contents that can go against yourself if you are actively looking for a job and that everyone can find on the net.

Using the Internet to our advantage

However, this presents an easy solution. Although we think that this information can go against us, we have the ability to generate content that contributes to achieving those goals that can be achieved that can be achieved by influencing the perception of others.

With a simple review of our name in Google, we can eliminate all that information that we do not want to be reflected to the public and, at the same time, select and develop that which we want to be considered in any assessment made by people who take a look at our profile. Let's remember Robert Cialdini's 6 laws of influence that can play in our favor. Given that if we do things right, sooner or later someone will look for information about us on the networks, we can always transform what is shown into a letter of introduction.

Let's face it, social networks are here to stay. The power that a person has today when it comes to projecting a first when it comes to projecting a first impressionThe power that a person has today when it comes to projecting a first impression, no longer lies solely in the first physical encounter, as was common a few decades ago. Nowadays, the image we give is complemented to a great extent on the walls of our networks and the consequences can be positive or negative.

It all depends on our awareness of the amount of information that can be taken from us today: companies, friends or strangers; and making the decision to review, update and enhance the content that is useful for the objectives we set.

Maybe it's time to type our name in Google and check what the results are, delete some photos from our past on Facebook or Instagram or elaborate content on our LinkedIn profile. The question we should ask ourselves is, how can social media help me achieve some of my goals?