In this day and age, social media is a must have for everyone. Most organisations even have their own social media page for branding, marketing and communication purposes. However, how can the use of social media impact your job and career? Here are some ways you can use social media for good – and stay away from the negative impacts:

1. Networking

LinkedIn is a great example of a type of social media that can be used for career advancement. On LinkedIn, you can connect with various colleagues and professionals in your field – and the creation of these networks may someday lead to various other opportunities in your career. It’s also a great way to connect and interact with like-minded people, exchange tips and engage in meaningful discussions.

2. Content creation

Social media has become a quick and easy way for anyone to share insights that they have through images or text with just the push of a button. This type of content creation can allow you to establish yourself online as someone who shares meaningful, relevant information in your professional field. Building a portfolio of your curated insights that give people an idea of your skills and expertise may also lead to other career opportunities, such as getting in touch with other professionals in your field.

3. Build a personal brand image

The sum total of your various social media profiles, especially your curated content, will allow people to identify you as an expert in your field. Furthermore, as social media content can be shared multiple times, it allows you to amplify your impact each time you put up a meaningful piece of content. Best of all – it doesn’t cost a penny to operate social media, which means you can even grow your personal brand through multiple shares from others for free.

However, it’s also useful to take note of some social media mistakes that can potentially harm your career:

4. Posting at the wrong time

While content creation is important, you must choose the correct time to post your content. Posting a long opinion piece during work hours, for example, is not the best idea. Employers looking at your social media may think you’re doing personal things on the company’s dime.

5. Keep your personal life separate

Everyone needs to let off steam once in a while – however, many methods of letting off steam may not be the most appropriate for the workplace. Posting content such as partying with excessive amounts of alcohol may signal red flags for some employers. When in doubt, either don’t post photos or videos that may be controversial or set your personal account to private.

Social media can be a powerful tool for people to communicate to employers who they really are and what they can do. However, it’s also important to note that social media used in a careless manner can lead to disastrous results. At the end of the day, the use of social media for your career should be kept professional, and allow you to build your personal brand and make connections with others that can further your career.