Social Media Screening for Job Applicants

We all know (or at least we *should* all know!) that employers use social media screening to investigate job candidates. Studies suggest that the more likely the position is one of trust--like a lawyer--the more likely social media screening will be used. But *should* companies use social media checks?

SHRM's HR Magazine highlights two perspectives in Should Employers Use Social Media to Screen Job Applicants? Jonathan A. Segal, a partner in Duane Morris's Philadelphia office, answers "Yes. Proceed cautiously with social media checks, but proceed." While Joyce LeMay, an associate professor HR at Bethel University in St. Paul, answers "No. Screening social media is unethical and possibly illegal."

What side do you fall on? And have you cleaned up your digital dirt?