A social media background check is most often completed during the recruitment process by a potential employer. As what is published on social media is public information, a recruiter or hiring manager may check a candidate’s social media accounts as part of their background check.
Social media may offer additional insight into the candidate and their personality beyond what the resume or cover letter can tell us. If you choose to do this, be aware that there are some legal concerns around this. You must only make a decision about who gains the position based on information relevant to the job. You can’t discriminate based on protected characteristics, such as religion, race, sexual identity, and others.
