Many people have mixed feelings about social media — and with good reason. For example, when it comes to using it as a tool for job-hunting, it can be extremely helpful, but there are potential pitfalls you want to steer clear of. In order to reap the benefits of social media when looking for work, you need to know the best practices for using it in a professional capacity.

The Job Network recently wrote an article outlining the ways one can use social media to propel their career forward. We’ve highlighted some of their suggestions, below.

Build your network. Social media is all about connecting with others, and this is no different when engaging in it for professional purposes. Make sure to use LinkedIn to not only “connect” with but also interact with former bosses, colleagues, and those with similar career interests as yours. It’s a great way to stay in the loop and open yourself up to opportunities.

Clean house. While social media is ingrained in many areas of our lives, it’s important to make sure that what you share on various platforms is content that you would be comfortable having a future (or current) boss see. Carefully review what you’ve posted already, and remove or edit anything that you think may stand in the way of you being viewed as a smart, mature and responsible adult.

Think about your content strategy. Social media platforms can be great vehicles for expressing your professional experience and opinions. Given that, make sure you post content that reflects your background and interests. A smart way to do this is to post links to informative, thought-provoking articles (especially if you wrote them!) and relevant topics, so your followers get a better sense of your ideas, perspective and areas of expertise.

As social media continues to evolve, it’s important to stay abreast of the changes it undergoes and the potential influence it can have in both personal and professional arenas.

We offer a number of resources that can help job-hunters understand both how to utilize social media to their advantage and the potential risks that should be avoided.

Our Balancing Work & Cancer Webinar Series has an upcoming session on “Using Social Media to Tell Your Best Story,” on May 9, 2018. Be sure to join us for tips on showcasing your skills, interests and accomplishments.

If you were unable to join us for our webinar on “Building an Effective LinkedIn Profile,” you can view the recording in our Video Archive.

CAC’s free Job Search Toolkit has tips for using LinkedIn successfully during the job search and provides suggestions for managing your online brand. Be sure to download or order your copy today!