Teaching Undergraduate Business Students About the Ethicality, Utility, and Risk of Using Personal Social Media Accounts to Vet Candidates in the Employee Recruitment Process

Abstract

The present study explores the ethicality, utility, and risk of using personal social media accounts to vet candidates in the employee recruitment process. This article details a class lecture and corresponding group activity. The student groups were required to perform a social media deep dive on two individuals viewed as job candidates. Special attention was paid to selection of the correct candidates and information that cannot legally be asked in a job interview. Of the seven student groups, five groups selected incorrect profiles for at least one candidate, while identifying reasons for concern or competitive advantage for each candidate.