You might think that using Twitter to do a background check is a bit far-fetched, but it is actually a great new option for businesses looking to find valuable information on potential employees. Since Twitter is a social network, it is not uncommon for users to display information on their profiles that can tell an employer many things. Some of these things may include a user’s hobbies and interests, likes and dislikes, personality traits, and even the people they associate with. If you are a business owner who would like to do a little background checking on Twitter, the following tips can help.
Getting Started
In order to locate a person on Twitter, you must know their name and any other information that will allow you to positively identify them on the site. This will ensure you are checking up on the right person. If you have met the applicant face to face, then you will probably remember what they look like. This may come in handy if the person has a popular name, such as John Smith. A photo may be just what you need to verify that you have found the correct user. If you have this information, you are ready to visit the Twitter site and attempt to locate your applicant.
Check Out the Basics
Once the person you are looking for has been located, you will have to check out their profile to get a feel for what kind of person they are. Look for any information regarding their hobbies and interests. These things can tell you a lot about what kind of worker a person may be. For example, if the applicant enjoys animals and taking care of others, they may be an attentive worker. If the person tells the world that he or she loves to party all the time, they may not be the best candidate for the position. Also check their profile to see if it lists any of the person’s likes and dislikes. If they say that work is something they hate, that is a fairly good indicator of the kind of worker they will be. Additionally, if a person says that guns are something they are a big fan of, it may raise a red flag.
Look at their Photos
Photos are a very good way to see how people conduct themselves in everyday life. Users who have no shame posting photos of themselves at the huge party last weekend may not care how the world sees them. On the other hand, if a person displays photos that show they are a professional, caring individual, it can say a lot about them.
Examine their Friends
The people a person chooses to be friends with can also say a lot about who they are. Examine their friends and look for anyone that may look troublesome. If you find someone that looks suspicious, it is a good idea to see where the person lives, if possible. If they live far away from your applicant, the chances of them causing trouble together may be slim to none. You can never be too sure though, so next you may want to look through your applicant’s tweets and correspondence with their friends.
Check out their Tweets
Lastly, you should check out the correspondence between your applicant and others. How a person talks and the language they use can tell a lot about them. If the person has poor vocabulary or uses foul language often, it may not be a good sign. But, if a person has a good vocabulary and can express themselves well through words, they may be a good fit for your company.
In the end, using Twitter to do a background check is something that should be done with caution. You will have to use your own judgment because no two people are alike. Remember, Twitter may tell a little about a person, but it may not be the whole picture. It is a good idea to keep an open mind, because the person who likes to drink a glass of wine now and then may end up being the best worker in the world.