HOW TO SEARCH APPLICANT INFORMATION

These instructions will guide you through the process of searching information about your company’s job applicants. The steps below will direct you to the right path to search information about applicant quickly. Please read cautions and tips carefully. At the end of the instructions, check the suggestions to complete a search successfully.

Follow these three categorized steps in order to complete a search on a job applicant.

    

A. Getting started: obtain basic applicant information, create accounts related to network, send friend requests to applicants.

B. Searching information: use Google, Facebook, Linkedin as internet sources

C. Making recommendation.decide whether applicants are eligible for positions.

A. Getting Started

1. Find the information.    
• Ask your employer or the individual overseeing applications for the applicant's resume and personal information. Look on the resume and application to find information like applicant’s name, home address, date of birth, high school and university. *Caution: It is unethical to perform a search on individuals without  permission or authorization.
2. Create accounts.
• Create accounts on public networking sites as Facebook and Linkedin. It is necessary to create a Facebook account before being able to view profile you  need. *Tip: Professional and social networking sites are good resources for finding personal and professional information about applicants.  
3. Send friend request.
• Send friend request to the applicant on Facebook and  Linkedin. *Caution: Double check full name, home address, university's name, profile picture before you send the friend request. 

http://www.freeemailtutorials.com/freeFacebookTutorials/add-friends-facebook-send-friend-requests.php

http://www.freeemailtutorials.com/freeFacebookTutorials/add-friends-facebook-send-friend-requests.php

B.  Searching Information



Google

1. Type a person’s name on Google in the search bar. 
• *Caution: Some applicant will have very common name.
2. Narrow down the search.
• Type a person name, home town and additional information in order to narrow the Google search. For example: if you are doing search on “Jessica Smith”. Type “Jessica Smith, Dallas, Texas, Texas A&M University”.

• 

  http://mylifescoop.com/featured-stories/2011/08/monitor-your-name-on-the-web.html

  
  

  http://mylifescoop.com/featured-stories/2011/08/monitor-your-name-on-the-web.html
3. Confirm the person.
•  Confirm you are searching the right person.
4. Print information. 
• You may or may not find enough information on Google.  *Tip: Print all information found and add it it the applicant's file.  
5. Highlight the important information.
•  Highlight important information on all the printouts created. It aids locating information. Decision making related to the applicant becomes less time costly due to the printouts and highlight.

Facebook

Facebook is a social networking site which helps you find information about University’s friends, neighbors, other individuals.

1. Privacy settings. 
• Be aware of privacy setting on Facebook account.  Facebook allows you to block others from viewing pictures, comments, and friend lists. It is possible to block an individual from viewing information, yet allow them to still be a "friend".
2. Facebook status.
• Check Facebook status of your applicant. Most people update their status frequently. Status update aid in indicating clues about your applicants personal life and work ethic.

  

  http://www.dotcomunderground.com/blogs/2009/09/28/how-to-tag-friends-on-your-facebook-status/
  

  
  

3. Photo albums.
• View photographs from each photo albums. Generally, each specific photo will be in specific photo album on the left side. 

  

  http://facereviews.com/2007/08/20/iphone-facebook-application-wows-users/
4. Read comments. 
• Check applicant’s comments and comments made by applicant’s friends on their "wall" and pictures. Click on each pictures and status and then scroll down to veiw comments.

  

  http://everybodysucksbutus.com/2010/02/12/darth-vaders-facebook-page/
  

  
  

* Follow steps 4 and 5 of Google search.

C.    Making recommendation

1. Gather all the helpful and highlighted piece of information.
2. Analyze the information.
3.  Seek help if needed. Consult with your employer or any authorized person for their opinion.
4.  Make recommendation wisely.
• Do not judge someone based on their color, race, age, religion, nationality or appearance. Qualifications, experience and skills are highly recommended for evaluation.

Well done! You have just finished searching your company’s applicant. You are now ready to type your memo and present it to your employer.  Use these suggestions to make most out of these search results.


      > Find right person.
      > Gather all the helpful and highlighted piece of information
      > Analyze the information wisely.
      > Do not rush to make decision.

Do not hesitate to request additional information to make right recommendations. A good employee improves the company. Bad analyzing qualities can hurt your company’s success  and applicant’s career. Enjoy and complete successful applicant searches. you are infromed and now able to seek information related to potential employees.