IT contractors could see a rise in the number of employers using social networking websites to screen jobseekers, an expert has predicted.

Felix Wetzel, group marketing director at Jobsite, has claimed that these will likely be used alongside CVs, telephone interviews, references and assessment days in order to help companies make the right choices.

"Any negative comments regarding your current or previous employer would not do much to endear you to a new company that you want to work for," he said.

He asserted that other factors which could lead to IT contractors not being considered for the job will include comments about working when hung-over or about taking a sickie.

Poor language and discriminatory comments will all act as red-flag signals for recruiters, Mr Wetzel added.

In contrast, recent research by Microsoft UK found that 63 per cent believe they are not entirely responsible for protecting their online reputation, despite 41 per cent of human resources managers rejecting an applicant due to their online profile.