There's been a lot of buzz in the news lately about the hazards of the using social networks.  One of those hazards is the potentially damaging effects that social networks can have on a job search.  It seems that at least once a month, there is a news story about an employee being fired because of something he/she posted on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace or some other social media website.  But recently there have been at least two news stories about job candidates losing job offers because of what they said on their social network website.  And in a job market that is becoming more competitive, every job candidate should make sure that his/her social network website never works against his/her job prospects.  Here are a few tips to make sure your online activity is not hurting your job search:
1.    Keep the professional and personal social networks separate.  For example, if you have a Facebook website setup for friends and family, avoid using that same site for your job search.
2.    Keep your personal social networks private. Often potential employers will Google your name just to find out "what's out there" about you on the internet.  All of the social networks allow you to control the privacy settings on your account.  Use that control to your advantage and make your personal pages private.  Think about it…do you really want potential employers to know about the drama with your ex-partner, dead cat and the run in with the clerk at the local grocery store?  I didn’t think so.  
3.    Remain Anonymous.  If you are using a social network for friends, family, dating etc., use a pen name instead of your real name. 
4.    Adhere to social standards.  Avoid posting socially unacceptable photos, rants and videos.  Although we enjoy free speech, others may judge you negatively for what you do or say online.