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A new study has revealed that a quarter of employers take social networking profiles into account when assessing job candidates, despite widespread disapproval of such practices

A hiring practices survey released by Personnel Today and Charles Russell law firm revealed that 78% of companies do not check personal information about potential employees during the hiring process.

Julie Weston, HR director from the British Heart Foundation who took part in the survey, explained that “the validity and reliability of the information is questionable. Also we believe it to be too intrusive to a candidate’s private life.”

John Carr, secretary of the Children’s Charities’ Coalition on Internet Safety, has condemned the use of such sites during the admissions process. “It’s a bit like looking at someone’s diary,” said Carr, “employers or admissions tutors who delve into these places are being highly and inappropriately intrusive.”