In this day and age, social media is a go-to source for information, and that includes information potential employers are looking for about candidates. It’s easy to think that things you did on Facebook or Twitter many years ago are old news, that no one will ever see them, and that they won’t have any impact on future endeavours. But that’s not actually the case, and Tanya’s story will highlight exactly why a social media background check can save you a lot of time and headaches.

Tanya’s Story

Back in her college days, Tanya (her name has been changed to protect her identity) was a staunch advocate for anti-gun legislation. She was part of an organization at her school, and attended conferences and rallies, all in an attempt to make gun ownership safer and legislation more protective. Her goal was admirable, and anyone who reads this would think nothing she could have done would come back to haunt her.

However, during this period in her life, Tanya liked and reposted a post on Facebook that supported anti-gun violence. A fight erupted at an event that she was at, and Tanya shared it, alluding to the fact that the violence may have been necessary.

After college, Tanya started a job at a finance firm, loved her job, and had settled down, putting the advocacy on the back burner. She worked her way up the ladder, but after a few years, realized that she wanted something more, and that she’d moved up as far as she could in her company.

Then, she found her dream job. Her qualifications hit the target, the organization seemed amazing, so she applied. But then her potential new employer did a social media background check…

Tanya waited for the call, and when it didn’t come, she followed up, asking if the position had been filled. After pushing for an answer, she was told about what HR had found on the review of her social media about the post seven years ago, and that after that she was an automatic no-hire.

How a Social Media Background Check Can Impact You

It’s very easy for a company to conduct a social media background check on a candidate. Anything that is flagged on that report can have an impact on their decision to hire you. In Tanya’s case, they didn’t even give her the chance to explain the situation. She lost out on her dream job because of one post seven years prior.

However, it’s not all bad news. Checking your own social media history can help you prepare for just those types of scenarios. Know ahead of time what a company might see that could be detrimental. Then you can be ready to address it if they ask. You can even include the report with notes with your application. This shows transparency and accountability, two very attractive qualities in an employee.

Obtaining a social media background check is easy. You can do it all online, fast, and get it back in minutes. Triton Canada gives you the power to be prepared. For more information, or to get yours, visit tritoncanada.ca.