Most job seekers research companies online before applying and are more influenced by others' opinions than corporate websites. User reviews and comments on social media carry more weight than corporate claims, and job seekers have a better impression of companies that engage with negative posts. A majority agree positive social media interactions would make them more likely to apply, and many are more inclined to apply after following a company online where they want responses to issues and questions answered.

1. 64% research a company before applying for a position 59% of job seekers say that, in forming their opinions about a company, what is said by others is more important than what the company says about itself 53% agree that they are more likely to believe posts and comments about a company (e.g., blogs, wall posts, customer reviews) versus what is said on their corporate website 63% say that they would have a better impression of a company that responds to user’s negative posts/comments than those who do not address the negativity 70% agree that positive posts and comments from followers on a company’s social media site would make me more likely to apply for a job at that company 54% of active and passive job seekers are more likely to apply for a job at a company after becoming a fan or following it on social media 58% would like to see responses to company issues, and 47% want their questions to be answered, when interacting with a company on social media 1 10/19/2010 CareerBuilder Statistics on Job Seekers & Social Media