Companies want to use the SNS account of applicants in employment. However, many applicants are opposed to it.



Companies are beginning to make SNS (Social Network Service) account blanks in employment applications. Recruiters want to employ new personnel by referring to an applicant’s SNS account. They check the applicant’s posts and photographs. Through them, recruiters can get more diverse information about the applicant. This is a good way for recruiters to know an applicant's interests and experiences. In my opinion, companies should use it when they employ new people.


Using an applicant's SNS account helps companies to assess an applicant’s suitability. When companies scan an applicant’s SNS account, they look for the interests and values of the applicant. Therefore, recruiters can judge how fit the applicant is for the company. Recruiters can also look at written comments in posts and find out the usual language of the applicant.

Using an applicant’s SNS account is a tool for recruiters to check out applicants. Before this recruitment method appeared, recruiters had to read the curriculum vitae of an applicant and do an interview. By evaluating his or her SNS account, they can judge whether what the applicant said in the interview is true. For example, a publishing company decided to hire an applicant after an interview. However, when the recruiters looked at the applicant’s SNS account, they found bad language on the SNS. They did not hire the applicant because he had a fake appearance. It shows companies can screen applicants through their SNS account.

In conclusion, companies can know an applicant’s real personality and interests through the applicant’s SNS account. This information helps the employment process. When recruiters look at an applicant’s SNS posts, they can evaluate whether the applicant is the right person for the company. Using an applicant’s SNS account is useful for companies, so they should make use of it.

●Opinion from reader

Jung-woo (Department of Library and Information science, SungKyunKwan University international student)

I’m on the side of the company. They can know an applicant’s daily behavior and words through the contents of the applicant’s SNS account. When the applicant submits a normal resume, the company can know basic personal information. It’s difficult to confirm whether the applicant is fit for the company. They need to assess the applicant’s personality and psychology to determine whether he or she is suitable for the job.
Checking an applicant’s personal account might be regarded as interference in private life. However, an SNS is a public platform. Through it, anyone can see the life of others. If the company does not infringe the rights of the applicant, it can be understood.




Nowadays, companies want to know about applicants’ SNS activities in hiring. Therefore, companies demand applicants’ SNS ID or address. However, applicants are concerned about infringement of their privacy. They think companies will invade their personal place. In my opinion, companies should not know applicants’ SNS activities in hiring.

This method intrudes on applicants’ privacy. Many people share their daily routines and communicate with their friends on SNS. In other words, the SNS is a personal place on-line. Applicants hate companies invading their private place. Job Korea, an online job site, conducted a survey about using social network services in recruitment. 65 percent of people are against this method. The reason was infringement of their privacy. They thought they couldn’t post on SNS freely. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. However, if companies screen applicants’ SNS, it will infringe on the right to free expression.

In conclusion, using SNS in the hiring process is a violation of privacy. Recently, many companies use SNS to recruit people. Companies have the right to check applicants, but companies should not infringe on applicants’ privacy. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, so companies should respect their rights.

●Opinion from Reader

Noh Hye-ji (Department of Chinese Studies)
I think companies should not screen applicant's SNS. Because when companies use SNS in the hiring process, it can be a violation of privacy. It is not right to invade personal space to hire capable employees. Companies want more information about applicants and screen their SNS, but I think companies should find a different plan.