Have you ever thought about the way you are looking for jobs? Ever thought social media can be a powerful tool, if used correctly?

It is difficult to imagine anyone nowadays who is not connected through social media. Most of us are social media veterans, but novices when it comes to using our networks to look for a job. Social media is taking over the world, job market included. So why not take advantage of its reach to land your dream job?

We have all heard of LinkedIn by now and know how important having an updated resume and connections can be. Other than that, employers are on the lookout for candidates on different platforms in a way that’s easier, quicker and straightforward.

When used properly, sites such as Twitter and Facebook can open up endless opportunities that stretch far beyond the reach of traditional job search methods.

Social media helps recruiters have a clearer idea of who you are and what you have done before they even talk with you. They also pick up clues about your personality and how you might fit into their corporate culture.

How can you make your profile more appealing and worth a look from recruiters? Follow these 5 tips on how to make your profile stand out on different social media platforms.

First and most important, use your real name. You want people to be able to find your profile when they search for your name. Also make sure your profile and all public information you display are clear, friendly, and professional images. Avoid posting articles or comments that can be considered offensive. Red flags include gestures or displays of weapons that might be deemed offensive, anything illegal, excessive profanity, and sexually explicit material. Better keep those pictures of last Friday night’s party private and between close friends. Use privacy settings to manage who can view personal versus professional content.

It is important to let people know you are looking for a new job or new opportunities. Connecting with people you know, past coworkers and people who you have a past work relationship with can be useful. Besides providing information about open positions, they can be excellent referrals and put in a good word about you to recruiters and employers. Have an acquaintance or friend working for that company you dream about being part of? Go ahead; don’t be afraid to send them a message letting them know you would be interested in more information about possible positions available.

Follow anybody who may be relevant to your job search, such as companies you would like to work for, industry influencers and suitable job websites. Build your network by “liking” Facebook professional and alumni organizational pages, and request to join relevant groups to your job aspirations and professional field. Social networks are all about being social and interacting so put yourself out there. Try engaging with other users, join groups, ask and answer questions, and create friendly discussions. Share and comment on job-related content and make sure to interact with the community.

Don’t limit your online presence only to LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter. Instagram, Pinterest, Vine, and other platforms can help your job hunting strategy. Especially if you are in a creative field, you can take advantage of showcasing your eye for design, photography, art, music and so on. If you are looking to break into startups, a presence on these platforms demonstrates that you’re up on the latest trends. Don’t undermine their potential impact.

It doesn’t help your job search if you create a social media account and then never use it. It is important not to forget to update it on a somewhat regular basis with your work history and relevant information. Make sure to regularly post discussions to groups and share articles to stay visible. Regular status updates to your social media profile shows others that you’re active in social media and keeps you top of their minds in your network if they want to interact with you.

These small tips can improve your social media presence, however as the networks continue to expand there’s almost no limit to how you can incorporate them into your job search. Don’t forget that a smart strategy can help you stand out and land the job you seek.