How Social Media Can Help (And Hurt) Your Job Hunt - 12 News KBMT and K-JAC. News, Weather and Sports for SE Texas

With so many Americans still looking for work, some advice from those who know: get online.

"When we have a new position open up we will post that to Linked In," said The Dwyer Group's VP of Marketing Chris Mellon.

The Internet revolutionizes the hiring process. And different studies show anywhere from 60 to 80 percent of companies are on board, leaving traditional methods behind.

"Posting to the newspaper, those kinds of things we haven't done any of that," said Mellon of the job openings at the company.

Professionals who work in career services say the trend helps certain people get ahead: those who embrace sites like Linked In, Twitter and Facebook to reach out to people who can help them.

"Depending on statistics, 60 to 70 percent of jobs are gained through some sort of personal network," said Kevin Nall with Baylor's Career Center.

And the Internet is the easiest way to expand your network. Nall believes people like graduating senior Marley Huckabee are doing it right. She belongs to Baylor alumni groups on Linked In and meets recruiters from Dallas to New York without leaving the building.

"If someone is talking about, you know, 'We have a really great job in Dallas or Austin and we're looking for entry level students' then bam! I gonna message them and say 'hey where can I send my resume, I want to discuss this more with you,'" Marley said.

In addition to groups and the 'find a job tab" on Linked In, she uses Twello. The site makes finding people on Twitter easier. You can search certain industries or companies, then introduce yourself in a message.

Lost your job? Nall says let your network know about it. Chances are one of your new contacts can help.

"I've seen this with Twitter - people sending out 'just got laid off' messages or just 'lost my job' or I'm looking for a new opportunity' or something like that," he said.

Once you're offered a position, social media proves useful to determine if it's what you're hoping for.

"Companies have Facebook profiles now so you can go and see their Christmas party pictures and you can kind of see their company culture so much better than you would at a company website," said Marley.

With more companies on board with social media, more people can see your online footprint than ever before. And what they see could make a difference in their overall impression.

"The whole thing about a job search is that essentially you're marketing a brand. And that brand, instead of being a product, is you," Nall said.

Mellon usually checks Google, and sometimes Twitter and Facebook, to get information that's not on an average resume.

"It kind of gives you a glimpse at their personal life and what they care about," he said.

As a recruiter there are certain things he'd like to see, like volunteer work and community involvement. But Nall says it's a two-way street.

"There's no shortage of ways you can hurt yourself," he said.

He recommends you change your settings so anything unprofessional is private, shared only with close friends. Avoid negative comments about past jobs, polarizing topics like politics and pictures not appropriate for the office.

"All of this is relevant in normal day-to-day life, whether it's online or face to face," he said.

Marley shows a picture she plans to take down - her friend has an energy drink that could be mistaken for a beer can. She says it may sound extreme, but she's not taking any chances.

"It's gonna be misleading, it's gonna be interpreted differently, and going into it with a mindset that is a possibility is going to help you kinda nip that in the bud really really early on," she said.

Because there are endless resources to help you on the web, as long as you stay in control of your online image.

Reporter: Rebecca Schleicher/Photographer: Thuan Nguyen

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