Research Paper Title

Social Networking Websites in Personnel Selection: A Signaling Perspective on Recruiters’ and Applicants’ Perceptions.

Background

Industry surveys and media reports suggested that recruiters increasingly used social networking websites (SNWs) in the selection process, but corresponding scientific research is still limited.

Methods

Using signaling theory, the researchers examined SNWs as a new way for applicants to signal their qualities to recruiters.

Results

The results suggested that recruiters and potential applicants (students and graduates) both perceived professional SNWs (e.g., LinkedIn) as a potential antecedent of Person-Job fit information and personal SNWs (e.g., Facebook) as a potential antecedent of Person-Organization fit information.

Conclusions

When evaluating the same SNW profile, recruiters and potential applicants focus on different sections of the profile (e.g., recruiters focus more on job-related information), but they tend to infer similar personality traits. Implications for using SNWs in selection are discussed.

Reference

Roulin, N. & Bangerter, A. (2013) Social Networking Websites in Personnel Selection: A Signaling Perspective on Recruiters’ and Applicants’ Perceptions. Journal of Personnel Psychology. 12(3), pp.143-151. http://dx.doi.org/10.1027/1866-5888/a000094.