Brazilian Undergraduate Students’ Perceptions of the Role of Social Media in Online Recruitment for Internship Positions

Abstract

The study investigated undergraduate students’ perceptions of social media’s role in online recruitment for internships in Brazil. A qualitative multiple case study was applied using semi-structured interviews and direct observations of eight participants. Two themes emerged from the content analysis: vague internship postings and application barriers. The findings indicate that the information published on social media was insufficient to engage students to apply for the opened positions, and the format of online resumes prevented students from continuing the applications. Recommendations are offered to improve the recruitment processes of undergraduate interns using social media. In conclusion, the internship ads were left untouched by respondents due to the imprecision of their content, despite the ease of access provided by advanced communication technologies.