As if looking for employment didn’t pose enough of a challenge, here is an entirely new problem for those seeking employment – the effective use of social media. No, no, no…not how to use it for networking or job search, but how not to use it. It seems many job candidates torpedo their chances with some employers because of the inappropriate things they post on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites.

Is that fair to job candidates? Apparently so, according to this article:

Four years ago, Stacy Snyder, then a 25-year-old teacher in training at Conestoga Valley High School in Lancaster, Pa., posted a photo on her MySpace page that showed her at a party wearing a pirate hat and drinking from a plastic cup, with the caption “Drunken Pirate.” After discovering the page, her supervisor at the high school told her the photo was “unprofessional,” and the dean of Millersville University School of Education, where Snyder was enrolled, said she was promoting drinking in virtual view of her under-age students. As a result, days before Snyder’s scheduled graduation, the university denied her a teaching degree. Snyder sued, arguing that the university had violated her First Amendment rights by penalizing her for her (perfectly legal) after-hours behavior. But in 2008, a federal district judge rejected the claim, saying that because Snyder was a public employee whose photo didn’t relate to matters of public concern, her “Drunken Pirate” post was not protected speech.

Since Facebook and other sites are public domain sites, it looks like they are fair game for assessing your common sense and discretion. So, next time you get in one of those “drunken pirate” moods, you might want to hold off on posting the pics. I’m just sayin’…

This article further points out that 75 percent of recruiters and HR professionals scrutinize online sites for information about job candidates, and 70 percent of those individuals have actually rejected a candidate based on information obtained from these sites. As companies seek to acquire the best talent they can find, they have been given the golden opportunity to not only assess that talent, but to assess the character of that talent as well.

Formerly, employers were limited to a credit check, a background check, and all those stellar references you put on your resume. Now, however, you have willingly opened up your entire world for them to examine – which, by the way, can be a good thing just as much as a potential risk. After all, your Facebook page could just as easily reveal a solid citizen as much as it could reveal a scalawag.

With recruiters and HR professionals on the prowl, consider this “Word to the Wise:” You might want to check out your Facebook page and analyze it from an employer’s point-of-view. Does your online persona reveal someone that might be considered a huge hiring risk?

We came across this great webcomic from @JimStroud, its creator and one of our Twitter followers: “The Recruiting Life”

Even though we’re all getting into the holiday season, that’s no reason to just sit around and wish for a better job.  As the webcomic suggests, you need to get out there and make connections, promote yourself online, and learn new skills.  Another good idea may be to read a book.  “Get A Job!” looks to be a good read for thinking of new strategies on your job hunt.

You already know it’s a Web 2.0. Social media and social networking are the wave we’re riding into the future. Great, but how does that help you? You’re searching for a job and don’t have time to play around on things like Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn, right? Wrong. Your next job offer could very likely come from one of these, or many similar, socially interactive sites. Let’s focus on how Twitter can help you find that perfect career offer.

Step 1: The Set-up

First thing, get your Twitter account set up. It is imperative to pick a more professional sounding username and upload a photo of yourself (or something that closely represents you. Steer clear of juvenile names and images (and really, do upload one – it does make a difference). In your bio section, you have up to 140 characters to put in. Use the space wisely. If you’re unsure of what to put,  a 360 CareerActionPlanning coach could help out here. Don’t forget to put a link to either your professional blog, portfolio, or online c.v.

Step 2: To Follow or Not to Follow

Second, scout out people on Twitter to follow. They could be human resources representatives for companies in your industry, the company itself or a c.o., recruiters, job search engines, or other Tweeple that can help you along with your search. Don’t forget to follow @360JobInterview while you’re at it to stay up to date on promotions and other relevant information. Click the “follow” button after determining which folks have a message relevant to what you’re looking for. Also, be sure to check your new followers for more potential Tweeple to follow.

Step 3: Go Social

Thirdly, it’s time to get interactive. You may notice a lot of “dms” in your inbox. These are direct messages. Only people you are following can send them to you, and vice versa. While this is useful in giving out your contact information to prospective employers, you do not want to overdo it and send them too many links. To send a dm, you can either ‘message’ a follower or put “D [twitter name] your message.”

The way to communicate with Twitter users that is more common is to ‘mention’ them. Do this by place an @ symbol directly before their name (i.e. “@aplusk [your message]“). You may often see things like “RT @[username]” or “[message] via @[username].” These are called ‘retweets’ and are used when you find another’s Tweet so useful that you want to share it with your followers. Most Twitter users are excited to see their name mentioned or something they sent out retweeted.

Keep on top of who you are following and the messages they put out. With applications such as Seesmic or Tweetdeck, you can separate those you are following into separate groups to track certain types of Tweets easier. You can also use Twitter on all smartphones and many other cellphones.

Now you have the basic tools and know-how to get out there and get a job. Good luck, and if you ever have any questions, leave a comment below or just Tweet out a mention to @360jobinterview; we’re here for you.

By now, most of you have heard of Twitter and maybe some of you have joined it. Some of you are wondering why you joined it and what to do about it. One of the newscasters that I follow has even questioned it as narcissistic and also questions whether she should continue to Tweet. I am getting more experience with it and I’m finding it of more value every day. Don’t worry if it takes you a while to catch on. Don’t get discouraged. Many people drop out of using it, way to easily.

I am becoming addicted to it, which annoys my wife who accuses me of being more interested in Twitter than talking to her. Enough of that. But there are some things that I have already uncovered that would be useful in your job search. Twitter gives you real time information that could be useful to you for your intended career change.

Here are some suggested Tweeps to follow that can help with your job search: Alison Doyle, an active Twitter user who specializes in career issues relevant to students and recent graduates; Heather Huhman tweets daily links for internships; Dan Schawbel is an expert on personal branding, who gives tips on developing your online presence; Liz Lynch, a marketing guru; Grace Kutney is another great resource for grads; Francina Harrison is the self-proclaimed career engineer; Bill Vick of Employment Digest; and, yours truly, Barry Miller. Don’t forget to follow 360 Job Interview’s own Dan Fedrizzi and Jeff G for the latest on 360 news and special offers.

Good luck in your job search and follow your way to the change that’s right for you. Tweet you later!

This article is second in a five-part series where we will evaluate free services on the Internet to aid you in your job search and general career advancement.

To use Twitter as a ‘micro-blogging’ site or a place to provide a general status update is a mistake. Twitter is quickly turning into a tool that is used to project a professional, yet personable, image. And, let’s face it, image counts for a lot when looking for the right job.

Twitter is available to the public and is searchable. If a potential employer is going to search for your Internet presence, your public updates are an important part of the impression they will have of you, even before giving you a chance to interview. Tweet wisely! While you may be tempted to tweet about the crazy night you have, save that for your Facebook status (for which you may want to change the privacy settings on now). Definitely do not mention your involvement in any activity that may be obscene, extreme, or illegal. This is a powerful network on the web and is not the place you want to spread word that you’re possibly irresponsible, immature, and have a disregard for common sense.

Do Tweet your opinion about industry news, relevant (non-marketing) links, and even about positive events in your personal life. Find influential people in your industry on Twitter and follow them. When appropriate, engage in conversation by providing thoughtful commentary, asking an excellent question, or even politely offering your assistance with a question they may have posed. But remember, these industry contacts are not your personal friends, and while it may be a personable move to congratulate them, or inquire about a group meetup, you do not want to get into their personal lives.

The goal is with Twitter is to project a positive, intelligent, and professional demeanor via daily Tweets (updates). Keep up with it regularly and follow folks in similar fields. To successfully utilize Twitter, go there with the intent to be true and a useful Twitterer and you’ll have the potential to do very well and land that perfect position to advance your career.

Other Articles in this Series:

• LinkedIn
• Meetup
• RSS
• Blogging