Hello, HFCC community! My name is Chad Austin, and I am the Job Placement Officer at Henry Ford Community College. The Mirror News asked me to contribute a regular column for the paper, touching on a variety of subjects relating to job placement and how my office can help you get your career started. I hope that you find these columns to be informative and relevant.

Feel free to contact me through the Job Placement Office at 313-845-9618 or by email at ctaustin@hfcc.edu. Thanks and enjoy!

Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace) has become an almost standard part of many people’s lives. Some people post regularly to these sites while others use it sparingly. What many people might not be aware of, however, is the negative effect their social media content could be having on their job search no matter what their level of usage. Many employers state that they now check out a person’s online persona prior to considering them for a position with their company.

Here are some basic tips to make sure that your social media isn’t keeping you from the job that you want.

Check your settings. Many people go with the default settings for Facebook and Twitter not realizing that the settings allow more people to access their information than they may want.

Clean up the pictures. A picture really is worth a thousand words. What are your pictures saying about you? Maybe you should take down the pictures of you partying it up, dressed crazy or scantily, and behaving badly. Instead put up a professional image that conveys you are ready to be seen in that capacity to a potential employer.

Don’t go for the friend record. There is no way you will ever set the record for most friends on Facebook or Twitter so don’t befriend anyone and everyone that asks. Be selective, and remember an employer may judge you (right or wrong) on who you associate with.

Watch your comments. Many people find posting on-line liberating because they can speak their mind without having to directly interact with someone face to face. This can often lead to people posting something that they later regret. Make sure you avoid inappropriate or edgy comments. Also remember that shorthand text online may make you seem less professional. Avoid LOL, BRB and other on-line terms, and make sure to type out everything.

Follow these suggestions and your on-line presence will not hold you back from the job that you deserve.