New search engine specifically for HR and hiring managers
July 23, 2009 by Sam NarisiPosted in: HR Tech, In this week's e-newsletter - Tech, Latest News & Views
Most managers and HR pros perform impromptu background checks online before offering an applicant a job. Here’s a new tool that might make that process easier.
CareerBuilder recently announced a partnership with Bing, Microsoft’s new search engine, to release a service called Applicant Explorer.
Free to employers that subscribe to CareerBuilder’s resume database, Applicant Explorer is basically a search engine specifically designed to search for people.
The engine collects all references to candidates’ names on the Web, giving you a picture of their “online footprint.” Results will include comments posted on message boards, social networking profiles, contributions to blogs and articles that mention the candidate.
CareerBuilder stresses the service isn’t just about digging dirt. By pulling all types of sources, Applicant Explorer should be just as likely to offer positive information on candidates.
To learn more about how to use the tool, click here.
Tags: Applicant Explorer, CareerBuilder, Microsoft
July 28th, 2009 at 11:35 am
This is a disaster waiting to happen! I followed the link to the CB website, read the instructions and the comments, including some very thoughtful comments by one of the development team. I still think this is a huge mistake, and would never allow my recruiters to use this tool – as the expression goes “no good can come from this” – “this” being the action of looking into someone’s “non-work” activities. There’s too much danger of running into one of the “protected” or semi-protected activities of a person’s personal life. Even if the insight is not used in the hiring decision, the employer is now in the position of having to Prove it Wasn’t. That’s why I would not recommending doing any background that was not processed through an independent, licensed or bonded third party source. I don’t need to See someone’s church or political or social club information to make a good hiring decision, and I don’t want the liability of having to defend against that “non-job-relevant” data….. just my thoughts after 21 years in the business!
July 28th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I agree with Paul 100% This is a disaster waiting to happen. Besides, how many Tom Smith’s do you think are on the net? How do you know which Tom you’re looking at.
July 28th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Ridiculous. This isn’t a background check, this is interfering in personal and private life. I agree, a disaster waiting to happen.