CareerBuilder.com surveyed 2,667 Human Resource professionals. They found 45 per cent of employers use social networking sites when researching their potential employees. Mashable reports that among the big no-nos are those cute smiley faces; 14 per cent of employers frown on a quick 🙂  MarketWatch reports those surveyed use Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace most of the time to screen potentials. Fewer employers search for blog posts and Twitter.This knowledge can be beneficial to anyone looking for a job, as kKnowing what not to put online could give you an edge.The big turn-offs for those hiring are inappropriate photos, knowledge of drinking and drug use, dissing a former employer, lack of communication skills, discriminatory remarks and lies about skills and other qualifications. Employers also do not like to see potential employees who have shared private company information. People that do get hired tend to have a profile that gives their new company a true feel for their personality. Their profiles support their resumes qualifications and being creative is a plus when it comes to getting hired. Market Watch reports:

“Social networking is a great way to make connections with potential job opportunities and promote your personal brand across the Internet,” said Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder. “Make sure you are using this resource to your advantage by conveying a professional image and underscoring your qualifications.”