A lot of attention is given to the negative effects that social media

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Can have on career opportunities. But social media can be beneficial, too. A CareerBuilder survey found that nearly one third of employers hired a candidate because of something positive they saw on the candidate’s social media profile. The key? First, cleaning up your profile. Then, use social media in creative ways to give yourself a competitive edge in the job hunt.

Social media gives employers a fresh, different look at a candidate. And social media can even be used to showcase qualities that don’t necessarily belong on a resume. Use your social profiles to show off your unique personality, your sense of humor, or your charitable nature. Don’t shy away from posting (politically correct) jokes, musings on culture or current events, or photos of switzerland phone number resource you running that 5k or helping out with that Habitat for Humanity build. After all, employers want to hire real people that they’ll enjoy working with – not hyper-professional social media bots.

And even if your activities on social media don’t make you look like a saint or qualify you for the next Nobel Prize, social profiles can still be used to show that you are a well-rounded, interesting person. If you spend hours playing chess, share your interest by liking or sharing chess-related things. Your hiring manager will see that you have passion, as well as the ability to think critically and make informed decisions. If you love knitting and make your own scarves, hats and tea cozies, use a social platform to display your creativity.

Perhaps most importantly? Use social media the way it was intended – to connect, network and interact with people who have things in common with you. Follow big names in your industry on Twitter. Share content related to the company or field you want to break into. Make connections, start conversations, and get your name out there – it will go a long way when it comes to setting yourself apart from the competition.

Social is here to stay
One thing is clear – social media is here to stay. And while social media is great for making personal connections, it can also be used to advance your professional goals. Put a little thought into your social media presence and actions, and you could see big returns. Social could even be the key to the next big step in your career.