Having trouble finding a job?  Things you may not know….

Social media has changed the way people interact.  The internet makes it easy to share photos, personal information (such as phone numbers, addresses, vacation details, etc.), communicate with others, vent our feelings, and stay in touch with people that every day life prevents us from doing.  What you may not know is that it isn’t just your family and friends that can obtain this information. 

Employers have learned to use the information from Social Media sites to keep tabs on current employees or to find information on potential employees.  Web sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blogs can provide a great deal of information to employers about your character, home life, the way you handle situations, and whether or not they feel you are a right fit for their company.

Although these sites are a great source of information and communication, they can have a profound negative effect on your life if they are not used correctly.   Situations can give people kneejerk reactions that in the future could cost them more than they realize.  You may regret a post or a comment and although you believe you have deleted that information, it is never really deleted.  Once it is posted on the World Wide Web it has obtained a digital footprint that is accessible to anyone to copy and re-post.

Check out this blog that shares more information on how these websites affect your employment with some do’s and don’ts that could help you in the future.

 http://jobsearch.about.com/od/jobsearchblogs/a/jobsearchblog.htm

Be cautious on what you’re posting.  Ask yourself if your post is something you would want your collogues or employer to see, read or hear about. Will your post be offensive or disrespectful to anyone? The biggest rule of thumb for me is that when you post on a social media website it is like standing in a crowded mall and shouting out for the entire world to hear.  If you wouldn’t shout it out in a mall, then don’t post it.