Title: At Face(book) value: uses of Facebook in hiring processes and the role of identity in social networks

Authors: Vanessa A. De La Llama; Isabel Trueba; Carola Voges; Claudia Barreto; David J. Park

Addresses: School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Florida International University, 3000 N.E. 151 Street, Academic 2, North Miami, FL 33181, USA. ' School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Florida International University, 3000 N.E. 151 Street, Academic 2, North Miami, FL 33181, USA. ' School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Florida International University, 3000 N.E. 151 Street, Academic 2, North Miami, FL 33181, USA. ' School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Florida International University, 3000 N.E. 151 Street, Academic 2, North Miami, FL 33181, USA. ' School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Florida International University, 3000 N.E. 151 Street, Academic 2, North Miami, FL 33181, USA

Abstract: This study conducted 19 semi-structured in-depth interviews with employers from over six industries who use job candidate Facebook information in hiring processes. The results generated seven key findings, with three contextual themes (economy and timing, weight of Facebook, and employee curiosity) preceding four dominant thematic employer preferences (importance of online personal appearance/portrayal, lifestyle image, wall posts likes and interests and privacy settings). A number of important employer assumptions derivative of the themes are also discussed in relation to social network user on and offline identities. In terms of theoretical contributions, our findings expand conceptions of employee branding, contest the freedom affiliated with virtual identity, and create a new form of digital divide.

Keywords: social networking; Facebook; employment; employers; employees; job applicants; technology; information fluency; hiring processes; online identity; offline identity; online image; code switching; generation X; millenials; job candidates; employer assumptions; employee branding; virtual identity; digital divide.

DOI: 10.1504/IJWI.2012.047984

International Journal of Work Innovation, 2012 Vol.1 No.1, pp.114 - 136

Published online: 17 Sep 2014 *

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