Billions of people are now using social media to communicate. Even the CEO of a blue chip company has a profile page and a handle. The same follows for employees and job seekers.
Companies have begun to consider social media activity when making recruitment decisions. They may not tell prospective job seekers, but hiring managers are checking what you post on social media.
There are certain cases where a job seeker posts nudity or sexually explicit content on their social media. In the other situation a candidate may post terrorist messages or extreme political views. Statuses and social media posts are associated with your philosophy and way of thinking. Therefore, it is easy to predict your behaviour or your thoughts through your social media activities.
Controversial personalities or people who polarise society through their views may find it difficult to find employment due to social media alone. Whilst people have freedom of speech, companies are unwilling to damage their reputation because of the social media activity of an employee. Sometimes companies fear to be associated with your controversial or divisive views.
Employees who are against gender equity may struggle to attain employment in international organisations if they publicise their views. If you are a supporter of corrupt business deals and you brag about it on social media, fewer companies would like that.
Whilst everyone has freedom of speech, it is increasingly evident that the world has changed and social media is being assessed before accepting a candidate. It is part of a due diligence process by companies. Some do not say it, but it is happening.