The Web site Career Enlightenment has created some graphics to remind us just how important social networking is for job searches today. Eighty-nine percent of companies are now using social networking sites for recruiting, and 65% have already hired someone through social media. But the Internet can hurt your search if your not smart about it: 1 in 3 employers have passed over a candidate based on something they found online.

Here are a few tips to landing your dream job (or at least a job) with the help of some online tools.

1) Clean Up Your Facebook Page

I know, you want Facebook to be for your friends. But face the reality: with 79% of employers checking a candidates online info, they are going to see your profile. A study from CareerBuilder showed that manager’s top two concerns when looking at online profiles are “drugs and alcohol” and other inappropriate materials. But the third was “poor communication skills.” So while untagging the photos of your keg stand is a no-brainer, getting lzy w/ splling when updating your status could hurt too.

You can (and should) tweak your privacy settings to keep out unwanted viewers, the safest strategy is still not to post anything embarrassing.

2) Put Facebook To Work

Facebook shouldn’t be a liability, but can it actually help you? New websites like InTheDoor and BranchOut actually link job postings to your Facebook profile, to show if you have any friends working at the company. Many job seekers are turning away from the traditional route of sending out endless resumes, and focusing on these social connections for introductions to jobs.

3) LinkedIn, LinkedIn, LinkedIn

The primary job search social network is still a necessity. It’s an standardized, efficient way to show your resume to employers- some even require a LinkedIn profile to apply. One of this website’s biggest perks is that it puts recommendations right on your profile. Immediate proof of your past achievement can really make your resume stand out. So make those connections, and be sure to reach out to past employers (if you’re on good terms) for recommendations.

4) Online Resumes

This is still a relatively new idea, but is gaining momentum as yet another way to stand out. Video resumes can give a more personal approach to a job search- but be careful that you don’t become the next viral joke of the internet.

For people with a lot of online creative material to show, a service like VisualCV is a great way to send out you work right alongside you resume.

5) Twitter

This is another new frontier in job searching. Right now, it’s useful mainly only for tech, media, and creative job searches. But again, candidates need to seize every opportunity to stand out, so start figuring out how to sell yourself in 140 characters or less.

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