You’ve undoubtedly had a photo or comment at some point in your lifetime come back to bite you where it hurts.

But what if that gaffe ended up costing you potentially getting the job of your dreams or any job for that matter?

All too often we hear of individuals who posted a picture of themselves a little too intoxicated on Facebook or tweeted out a message about how bad a former employer was. Guess what? Those moves could end up being the difference between getting a job and continuing the job search.

Careful What You Post

Years ago a potential employer likely had your resume sitting in front of them and not much more to go on when it came to considering you for the job. Nowadays, however, employers have access to a wealth of information on you, your past professional life, and even in some instances, a look into your personal life.

While there is still a gray area between social media and the workplace, more and more employers are taking the time to research how a potential employee lives outside of work, those they may associate with, and whether or not they have been negative towards former employers.

Research Shows Many Employers Search

According to research from Harris Interactive, close to one in two businesses are searching the backgrounds of potential job candidates, with 45 percent of such employers utilizing social networking sites to research individuals. The study goes on to note that 35 percent of employers said they discovered material on social networking venues that factored into their decisions not to hire a candidate.

In the event you find yourself job hunting and are not sure of the dos and don’ts when it comes to social media and the job search, consider these factors:

• Too much imagery is not always a good thing – While you may want to show to the world your hot new girlfriend or how drunk you and your girlfriends got at a bachelorette party, it can reflect very poorly on you. Yes, employers also have lives outside of the office, but they’re looking for candidates who are not only productive workers, but those who will make sound decisions under their employ. Showing half-naked photos to the world doesn’t sound like the best decision making;
• Bashing former employers – Yes, we’ve all probably worked for someone over time who did not earn our respect, but that’s for us to know and potential employers not to find out. By using Facebook, Twitter on other social venues to bash former bosses, you not only come across as immature, but as someone who could be a disruptive force in a new company;
• Views that don’t reflect others – While we live in a nation that values freedom of speech, that doesn’t always mean you, need to blurt out your opinion. In the event you have certain opinions and/or views, they could reflect badly upon when being searched by an employer. For example, suppose your potential employer is run by a woman and you post tweets or shares on Facebook saying how incompetent women are at running things. Think she’s going to be in a hurry to hire you when coming across that comment?
• Plans for the future – It may be a fact that you’re going through some tough times, but it is not wise to be posting in social media circles that you’re just looking for a short-term job until the bigger payday comes. While most employees these days do not stay at a company for decades like their parents did, an employer doesn’t want to read that you’re just looking for something for a few months unless that is the employer’s specific need. Most employers hire someone with the idea they will be there at least 5-10 years, thereby avoiding continuous training procedures;

These are but a few of the actions that can sink your ship and prevent you from even getting in the door for an interview.

While sites like Facebook and Twitter are great venues to share things and meet new people, just make sure that there is nothing on the site you’d want a potential employer to see.

Remember, today’s employers are becoming more social and I don’t mean in terms of friendliness.

Dave Thomas, who covers among other items obtaining phone systems, writes extensively for Business.com, an online resource destination for businesses of all sizes to research, find, and compare the products and services they need to run their businesses.