Robert Half Survey Finds Social Media Profiles The Least Influential Element

  • Social media profiles are not the most crucial factor that impacts hiring decisions for HR managers.
  • 40% of Australian hiring managers say a candidate’s CV is the most important factor influencing hiring decisions for management-level positions, slightly dropping to 37% for staff-level positions.
  • 37% point to a candidate’s interview performance as the most crucial factor for management-level positions, dropping to 25% for staff-level positions.

While we are increasingly living in a digital world, social media profiles are not perceived as the most important factor impacting hiring decisions. Instead, jobseekers in 2017 aiming to give their career a fresh beginning should start by polishing up their resume and job interview skills, as independent research commissioned by specialised recruitment company Robert Half reveals the key factors which influence the success of a job interview.

Only 1% of hiring managers say social media profiles are the most important factor when hiring staff-level candidates. Fundamental elements of the job search, such as CVs and interviews, still determine if a candidate gets the job.

Two in five (40%) HR mangers identify the candidate’s CV as the most important factor when recruiting for management-level roles, a figure that drops to 37% for staff-level positions. A candidate’s performance during the interview is seen as almost just as important, as more than one in three (37%) HR managers say it has the most impact for management-level roles, followed by one in four (25%) for staff-level positions.

Andrew Morris, Director at Robert Half Australia said: “2017 is shaping up to be a competitive employment market. Candidates applying for jobs are likely to face tough competition, and knowing what influences the hiring decision can mean the difference between being offered the role and being passed over.”

“The traditional elements in the hiring process, being the CV and the interview, are still considered to be the most important. It’s therefore crucial that job seekers stand out from the crowd by not only having a stellar CV, in print and online, but also excelling during their interview(s).”

“While social media profiles might not be considered to be the most important element in the hiring process, recruiters and hiring managers generally check online profiles before extending an offer, so job seekers should not underestimate the importance of having a professional online profile. In the digital age, it is imperative that jobseekers maintain their professional persona through their social media accounts – whether it’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. While it’s good to showcase some personality, job seekers should always maintain good conduct on social media, even when profiling and discussing their private lives.”

“Businesses need to take on an encompassing approach during the hiring process, which not only includes checking resumes and doing job interviews. Other elements such as checking references and social media profiles can reveal significant information about the candidate which can in turn influence the hiring decision,”concluded Andrew Morris.

HR managers were asked: “What are the most important factors impacting your hiring decision?”

Management-level positions Staff-level positions
CV 40% 37%
Job interview performance 37% 25%
Candidate testing 11% 18%
Reference checks 6% 15%
Recommendation from network/staffing agency 6% 4%
Social media profile 0% 1%

Source: Independent survey commissioned by Robert Half among 100 HR Managers. 

About Prof Janek Ratnatunga 1129 Articles
Professor Janek Ratnatunga is CEO of the Institute of Certified Management Accountants. He has held appointments at the University of Melbourne, Monash University and the Australian National University in Australia; and the Universities of Washington, Richmond and Rhode Island in the USA. Prior to his academic career he worked with KPMG.