Just when you thought it was safe to go  onto Twitter or Facebook, or other social media sites, lo and behold, companies -big and small- are also taking advantage of the medium to connect with customers and employees.  And as employers and job recruiters increase their presence online, you might want to be careful what you put out there.  Comments such as “This job is so boring. Only 8 more hours to go!” or “My boss is a freaking moron!” are better left off the Internet, as your boss might actually be reading them.  For example, an employee at a U.K. Marketing firm posted on her Facebook page that her job was boring .  She was called into her manager’s office the following week and dismissed based on the Facebook posting. On Twitter, a potential employee of a large information technology firm tweeted that “XX just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh…a fatty paycheck against…hating the work.”  Oops.  A senior manager at the firm responded with, “Who is the hiring manager? I’m sure they would love to know that you hate the work.” (CNN.com)  

Another Social Media mistake is posting from work.  If your Facebook page is full of hourly updates and clever quizzes all day while you are at work, it doesn’t take a particularly savvy manager to see that you are not getting much done on the job.

Regarding job searches online, you should clean up your social network pages to present a desirable image.  You might not want to post the drunken fraternity party pics or your list of favorite porn stars.  Here are a few tips:

• If you are employed, don’t discuss raises or disgruntlement with work
• Don’t mention a job search if you are employed
• Don’t badmouth your current or previous employer; a potential employer might assume you will do the same thing to them if they hire you.
• If you comment about an interview or job offer, be sure to keep it positive.