Predictors of job seekers’ self-disclosure on social media

Abstract

a b s t r a c tSocial media-based screening is a well-known practice to both recruiters and job seekers. Little is known, however, about how job seekers present themselves on social media, i.e. 'self-disclosure', for employment purposes. This study builds on the theories of hyperpersonal computer-mediated communication, self-efficacy and social exchange to examine job seekers' professional online image concerns, social media self-efficacy, and perceptions of social media effectiveness in the job search as predictors of inappropriate and career-oriented self-disclosures on these media. Findings from a sample of 3374 Italian respondents showed that career-oriented self-disclosure was predicted by all three factors, whereas inappropriate self-disclosure was only predicted by social media self-efficacy. Furthermore, the relationship between professional online image concerns and inappropriate self-disclosure was moderated by age, education and work experience, but not by gender. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested.

New Talent Signals: Shiny New Objects or a Brave New World?

“…For their part, candidates seem to expect that their digital lives will be examined for hiring purposes (El Ouirdi, Segers, El Ouirdi, & Pais, 2015). Although studies suggest that candidates may find cybervetting unfair (Madera, 2012), most candidates seem habituated to the idea that their social media activity will influence potential staffing or promotion decisions.…”

Students' Attitudes on Social Network Sites and their Actual Use for Career Management Competences and Professional Identity Development

“…According to Careerbuilder, 60 per cent of employers use SNSs to screen job candidates [40]. Job seekers' predictors for career-oriented self-disclosure versus inappropriate self-disclosure include beliefs that SNSs could support their professional image, social media self-efficacy, and the effectiveness of social media as a channel for searching for employment [16]. Students who are already engaged in studying, preparing for their careers and conducting social networking with potential employers are more successful in finding their first jobs [30,31].…”

“…Furthermore, students' levels of awareness and beliefs concerning how their SNS visibility affects their future career opportunities vary [16,17].…”

‘It all kind of symbolises something doesn’t it?’ How students present their career image online

“…Woodley andSilvestri (2014) andEl Ouirdi et al (2015) have both explored this, noting that there are issues that result from students' ability to effectively broadcast information about themselves through social media and employers' willingness to use this information to inform recruitment and employment decisions. Conversely others have highlighted how the careful and purposeful creation of an online personal brand can bring career benefits (Labrecque, Markos and Milne, 2011 has argued that individuals can develop, and be encouraged to develop, the skills which enable them to use the Internet effectively for their careers, including thinking about how they represent themselves online and how they manage this representation over time.…”