Survey Findings 

Social Networking Websites and Online Search Engines as HR Tools

SHRM conducted a series of surveys with members in the employment/recruiting job function about the use of social networking websites in recruiting and screening job candidates.

For the purposes of this series, social networking websites refer to sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace, etc. and online search engines examples include Google, Yahoo, Mozilla, Bing, etc.

SHRM Survey Findings

• Part 1: Social Networking Websites for Identifying and Staffing Potential Job Candidates
• SHRM Research Spotlight: Social Networking Websites and Staffing
• Part 2:  The Use of Social Networking Websites and Online Search Engines in Screening Job Candidates
• SHRM Research Spotlight: Social Networking Websites and Online Search Enginesfor Screening Job Candidates
• Part 3: Social Media in the Workplace
• SHRM Research Spotlight: Social Media in the Workplace
• Part 4:  An Examination of How Social Media Is Embedded in Business Strategy and Operations Survey Findings
• SHRM Research Spotlight: Social Media in Business Strategy and Operations

Case Studies

• Greteman Group
• Pitney Bowes

Expert Q & A's

• Jason Hill, partner, Sound Advice Consulting Services
• Kay Calivas, managing director, Stephen James Associates
• Eva Del Rio, president and founder, HR Pro on Demand

Background Checking – Reference, Credit and Criminal

Why do employers conduct background checks, what type of job candidates do employers investigate, what information in a job candidate’s consumer report could have adverse effect on the decision to hire?

In November 2009, SHRM conducted a comprehensive survey that looked at background checking on job candidates. The survey explored the primary reasons organizations conduct background checks, the categories of job candidates organizations conduct background checks on and other related topics.

The research is divided into the following sections:

• Conducting Reference Background Checks
• Providing References
• Conducting Credit Background Checks
• Conducting Criminal Background Checks
• General Background Checks
• Post-Hire Background Checks
• Drug Testing
• The Implications of Credit Background Checks on the Decision to Hire
• Has the Use of Credit Background Checks Increased? A Comparative Look - 2010 and 2004
• SHRM Research Spotlight: Credit Background Checks

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 55% of companies conduct pre-employment drug testing on all job candidates. Background Checking: Drug Testing (SHRM, 2010)

 The two characteristics most likely to make a job candidate stand out positively during the job interview process are skills that are directly applicable to the job, 56%, and a “good fit” with other team members and/or the organization, 42%. Interviewing Do’s and Don’ts for Job Seekers SHRM Poll (2009)

 A majority of companies, 90%, agree that online degrees are viewed more favorably today than five years ago. Credibility of Online Degrees SHRM Poll (2009)

 32% of companies say that the biggest threat to the retirement savings of employees at their organization is that employees are not saving enough. The U.S. Recession and Its Impact on Employee Retirement  SHRM Poll (2009)

 Hiring of undergraduates dipped slightly in 2009 compared with previous years. The Hiring of 2009 Graduates During the Economic Downturn SHRM Poll (2009)