The use of social media websites has increased to staggering levels and the trend doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter have become intertwined with the daily lives of millions of people around the globe. And for those searching for a new job, the use of social media can certainly have a major impact. However, the impact can be either negative or positive.

The Good

Social media can be a powerful tool to increase the scope of your professional network. Connecting with potential employers on a site like LinkedIn can increase your chances of being considered for new opportunities as they become available. Corporate recruiters and recruitment agencies also utilize social media to find and contact candidates regarding job openings. At SalesForce Search we regularly use social media sites to source candidates rather than the traditional job boards. Social media sites allow you to post your information including work history, education, skills, and major achievements. This information can be viewed by significantly more people than would be able to if you simply submitted your resume to a standard resume database.

The Bad

There are also some negatives to using social media sites when it comes to your job search. By increasing the number of people who can access your profile, you increase the chance of being solicited for jobs that are not suitable or relevant to your background. It may also compromise the confidentiality of your job search – imagine your boss noticing that you have recently connected to a number of recruiters or competitors. From a privacy perspective, there may be concerns for some due to the sheer number of people who can view the details of their background including where they have worked, where they went to school, and what social organizations they belong to.

The Ugly

As a worst case scenario, the use of social media sites can jeopardize your job search and exclude you for consideration from a potential job opportunity entirely. Many companies have started using social media sites as part of their due diligence when conducting reference checks. Cases have been documented where candidates, about to be hired, have been turned down because the company has found compromising (i.e., embarrassing) information or pictures of the candidate. A good rule of thumb: if there’s something you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see, don’t post it.

Used properly, social media can be an invaluable tool during your job search. Just make sure that you connect to the right people and use discretion when deciding what information about yourself you should post and what you should keep private.