Think your social media presence is just a small aspect of the face you present to potential employers? Think again…

According to Reppler.com:

• 91% of employers use social media to evaluate job candidates
• 76% percent of these employers check Facebook pages
• 69% of human resources managers have rejected applicants based on negative social media impressions
• 68% have hired candidates based on positive social media impressions

When you think about that Twitter rant after your team’s playoff loss or the Facebook photos of your July 4 party at the lake, these statistics are enough to make you want to shut down your social media presence for good.

Think again…

The last statistic is the most telling. It suggests that today’s employers aren’t just hiring robots who qualify against a checklist of job requirements. They want complete human beings whose lives outside of work testify to the virtues they want to add to their team. These qualities can include leadership, teamwork, empathy, concern, passion, intellectual interests, energy level, and the persistence to accomplish goals. If you have positive qualities like these, the following tips can help you present them and distinguish yourself from competitors who have a weaker social media presence.

1. Enhance Your LinkedIn Profile: Make your profile as appealing as it can be by following the steps in LinkedIn: Double the Power of Your Profile in Two Days. This post has helped many candidates to make dramatic improvements to their profiles, so share it with anyone you know who may be looking for a new position.

2. Become Active in Professional Associations and Groups: If you aren’t already a member of professional associations that can enhance your knowledge and provide you with valuable networking opportunities, start by following the steps in Top Three Ways to Network on LinkedIn. The foundational advice in this column is to be an active member of at least three user groups, and stay connected to the activities and dialogues of another 12.

3. Google Yourself: Search for yourself on Google, Yahoo, and Bing, and see what social media posts, photos, likes, and other digital footprints come up. Make a note of every negative social media impression that you see. More on this in tip #5.

4. Post Content that Speaks to Your Strengths: If you’re training for a triathlon, there are so many ways to tweet and post about your daily progress toward your goals. Dialogue with other triathletes and share advice. If you’re raising money for Breast Cancer Awareness month, post about why this cause matters and motivate others to join you in your efforts. If you’re the coach of your son’s baseball team, share photos about what the kids learned in practice, and share your thoughts on the importance of today’s lesson beyond the field. If you’re a good writer, share links to content that you have written that demonstrates your knowledge on subjects relevant to the positions you seek. There are so many ways to use social media content to your benefit; start by thinking about the things you’re already doing that demonstrate character and the virtues employers value.

5. Clean Up Your Facebook Presence: If you’re really concerned after years of activity on Facebook, consider using Reppler to screen your profiles for red flags. Take down all negative posts, ramblings, time wasters, emotional outpourings, photos that show you acting irresponsibly, and anything that contradicts the positive impression you want to make. Use the privacy options to keep all of the quality content available for employers to screen, while protecting more intimate postings that you share with family and friends. Finally, use Timeline Review to choose the posts that you’re tagged in and to control what shows up on your timeline.

Leaving a positive social media footprint tells employers that you’re in control of your life. You’re confident, you have quality relationships, you’re proud of where you’ve been, and you know where you’re going. This is the lasting impression you want to create, above all of the specific character traits a strong social media presence can demonstrate.