StormStaff

As a job seeker, using popular social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can present a great opportunity for self-promotion, both on personal and professional levels. As a result, a growing number of recruiters have taken notice and scout these networks for potential candidates. When choosing to use social networking sites as a job-hunting tool, it is important to understand how recruiters and hiring managers can review your profiles to assess you as a candidate and potential hire.

One of the greatest risks associated with the use of social networks involves sharing too much information. How much information you choose to share can become a detriment when users make the mistake of posting things that may be inappropriate for potential employers. How can you avoid this problem as you use your social networks to aid you in your job hunt?

The first consideration you may want to take is simply limiting who can see what you post. You can do this by changing your privacy settings. Each social network has its own available restrictions and privacy levels, so review each of them and decide which ones are right for you.

While privacy settings can help prevent easy access to your personal information, there’s always a level of discretion you should keep on your profiles with those contacts that can see everything. Just because someone is your “friend,” “follower,” or “connection” doesn’t mean they won’t share the information you put up. Never underestimate the scope or reach of what you post. If you share things that could portray you in a negative light, just know that information could certainly still make its way to other places on the web. Even if you post something and later remove it, it’s already been in the public eye and there is always a chance that someone has already seen it and that they may have even already saved a copy. Therefore, avoid things like any mention of alcohol and drug use, inappropriate photos or information, poor communication or writing skills and criticism of co-workers or former employers on your profiles.

Instead, remain selective with the information you post. Think about the direction you want to take with your pages. If you truly choose to dedicate your social networking efforts to finding a job, make sure you create profiles that exude professionalism. Post information related to your professional growth, skills and capabilities. You can still inject your personality into your profiles by listing hobbies like sports, traveling, community organizations and volunteering efforts.

Why not consider making the information on your profile work for you by actively networking? To actively network, make an effort to frequently post information that would interest your networks, answer questions and add new connections. You may even consider sending out a message letting your connections know you are seeking a job and possibly ask for potential leads in your job search.

Overall, less can be more when posting your personal information online. As you continue to use social networking pages in your job hunt, simply remember that you should always keep a level of good judgment on what you choose to share with people.