A social media background screening refers to Human Resources staff examining the public social media profiles of staff or job applicants to ensure they align with the organization’s values and standards.

This screening is carried out on prospective employees in order to be aware of the type of person the candidate is and whether they are a good fit.

Why must an employer conduct a social media background screening?

A social media background screening can give the employer details and certain types of information about a candidate, which might be challenging to uncover during an interview. Whilst, both the resume and the interview, might give you as an employer a good  impression and a good feeling, social media could help unveil other avenues of consideration on whether you should go ahead in hiring the candidate or not.

Below are some the main reasons why it is helpful to conduct a social media background screening:

• Due to violence: a potential candidate could share of create posts which support violence or sexual harassment; therefore with a social media background screening, which will help employers to make a decision, and to also be informed on the type of person the candidate is and what they stand for.  
•  Organization culture: finding the right talent for the organization, does not only include the skills and the qualification, it also includes whether the candidate will culturally fit into the organization; and social media is the best place to find that out. In order to do so, employers will have to consider what the values within the organization are, and then look through the candidate’s posts.

      Employers must however,  avoid holding every social media post against the candidate, or  over go too much into the candidate's behavior online and immediately jump into conclusion.