The way social media has transformed every aspect of our lives is unprecedented. It has not only affected us on a personal front but also on professional front including job search.

The way you use social media for public interaction today can have a huge positive bearing on your career tomorrow. 

However, there have also been instances when social media activities have negatively impacted the existing image of an employee resulting in layoffs.

A number of employees have lost their jobs when their activities such as sharing company information, news, pictures or making lose comments about the firm came to the knowledge of the employers.

Impact of Social Media on Job Search:

Job Search and Blogging: Many of us love to have a blog of our own where we want to reveal ourselves to the world. Others may want to have a social media profile or a personal website. Such activities can affect your job search for better or worse. For instance in order to gain attention of readers, one blogger recently disclosed that he lies in interviews and yet none of the employers have been able to make it out till date. Another job seeker mentioned that she is a party freak and partying are an order of the day for her. It is anybody’s guess that such loose statements will not be liked by any prospective employer.

Privacy Issues while searching job through social media: There may be cases where you may or may not want your prospective employers to read your personal information. In cases where you want them to read your personal information you do not have to break much sweat, however, when you want to have some privacy, it becomes an issue since all the information that you throw at the online world becomes open to public access. A mention of your website, blog or Facebook profile on your resume will certainly navigate the employers to it where they can have access to most of the information that you intend hiding from them. Most of us Google out people who we want to know more about and there is nothing that forbids a headhunter to do the same.

Social media to remain motivated during job hunt: Social media interactions can prove to be a great motivating factor amidst all disappointments from unanswered job applications, mounting bills and other job related worries. Positive comments from a prospective employer or a current one may raise your morale resulting in more vigorous job search or more productivity in current job. Social media is also an excellent platform to give yourself a break from all the information overload that a job search leaves you with. Reveal your casual side cautiously during such much needed breaks to maintain the kind of profile you want in front of your prospective employers.

The type of online presence that you carry will decide the type of job opportunities that come your way. If there is a disconnect between your personal and professional interactions online, you diminish your chances of catching attention of good employers. Your social media interactions should by all possible means show you in good light to make sure you are wanted by employers.

Jenny Ho is with International Workplace Consulting Pte. Ltd., Singapore. She has assisted numerous MNC companies (especially those in the chemical, petrochemical, oil & gas areas) to hire good candidates.