Common knowledge holds that in many industries, your social media profiles are nothing more than a potential hindrance. You have to mine them for sketchy information, always staying vigilant against the possibility that someone will tag you in an inappropriate picture and BOOM – your reputation is shot.This is true in the sense that social media can be dangerous to your career, especially if you do not manage it well. However, as social media exits its infancy and becomes a tried-and-true tool across industries, it is becoming a device with unparalleled powers to help you out in work and life. If you haven’t yet learned how to use social media for job search purposes, it’s really time.

Learn About Company Culture

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is to assume any company that will give you a job is the right company for you. Sometimes a company that wants you has entirely the wrong culture, but you’d never know it unless you do some dedicated research first. Social media is a great place to follow team members and decision makers to find out what people really think of the company.

Demonstrate You’re a Great Fit

If you decide you like the company, social media is also a good place to show you’re a good fit. “Use this insight to make sure you mesh with and want to be a part of their team,” Lauren Maiman, owner of the Midnight Oil Group, told Monster. If you're connecting in a meaningful way with them on social media, by the time you get to the interview, they should feel like they already know you (so careful what info you put out there, too).”

Show How Hard You Rock

Okay, we don’t mean this is a hair band sense. But by using social media, you can show how good you are at using it. Since many companies are looking for social savvy – even if you’re not in a social media manager role – this is a very useful skill. It can be put to good use in sales, marketing, PR, charitable endeavors, customer appreciation, and so much more. So no matter what role you’re gunning for, you can impress the hiring manager by using it while job hunting.

Broadcast Your Availability

No one can know you’re job searching, if you don’t tell them, right? One of the best ways to use social media in your job search is to post your status on your profiles. Of course, if you’re keeping your search secret, that won’t work. But if you’re in college or out of work, it’s a great technique. So advertise on your Facebook profile, LinkedIn page, Twitter bio, and more. Tell prospective employers exactly what you can offer, as well as what you’re looking for, to make this strategy most useful.Hopefully this brief primer has taught you a bit about how to use social media for job search purposes. These aren’t the only ways to do so, of course, but they are the most accessible and the easiest methods with which to start. Try them, integrating new techniques one at a time, and you might be surprised by how much more effective they make your search. Go get ‘em, tiger.

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