Effect of defamatory remarks on social media sites, need to add social causes in the social media profiles alongwith the balance between social and professional profiles - well explained by Kailash Shahani in interview with rediff.

1. Kailash Shahani Shares on Rediff
Interview the Positive As Well As
Negative Effects Of Social Media
Profiles on the Employers
"Defamatory remarks on social media sites can cost
oneself his job" - Kailash Shahani
Racist remarks are random outbursts that are independent
opinions of a certain individual or group. These remarks never
present you in good light.
Kailash Shahani, Managing Director of Morpheus
Consulting expresses as how a leading company denied a
promising candidate a job when they stumbled upon some racist
comments he'd made during the 2011 cricket world cup.
"The candidate probably wasn't even aware that his activities
were being screened. But a third party organisation that was
involved with background checks scanned his profile and made
a note of these remarks. That worked against him," he recollects,
"And to think that it wasn't even a very senior position!"
Exercising caution, Shahani says, is crucial, adding that it is
pertinent to avoid being an 'extremist by opinion'. "You should
be extremely careful about what you say or post on a public
forum. Try to maintain objectivity of thought, while you are
online."
"Do not post comments or messages about a person, group or
community unless you are attributing it to a source (like a
newspaper or website). In dire cases, a defamation suit could be
filed against you."
"In extreme cases, when you are provoked to voice an
independent opinion, use personal messaging or chats to convey
your message."

2. “Adding Social Causes in your profile can be
advantageous” – Kailash Shahani @ Rediff Interview
Adding activity links about social causes and projects add
impetus to your profile. Even if you do not participate in these
activities, even a gesture expressing interest could work wonders
for you.
Kailash Shahani shares a personal example. "A friend had
applied for a position at a prominent private. The bank had
hired a third party to do a background check of the candidates."
"At that point, the friend was unaware that the bank strongly
believed in corporate social responsibility and did not highlight
the social causes he was actively involved in."
"Since my friend was also part of an NGO (Non-Government
Organization), he had posted some links and images about their
activities, which added value to his profile and left a positive
impression. He learnt about this advantage only after he got the
job. So, little things like these could also count as it portrays
your socially responsible side as well."

3. Kailash Shahani’ opt solution for maintaining both the
profiles – “social as well as professional”
Everyone is not successful to balance an active social profile and
a discreet professional profile. So, does maintaining the two
different profiles can be considered as the solution?
You can always be wise in choosing the people you trust or be
careful to balance your social and professional life. Today, social
networking sites also provide you various privacy options that
you can use to your advantage. However, if you follow the basic
rules, you won't even need to take so much trouble. A lot of
individuals, particularly, those involved at senior management
positions have been successfully doing it."
Kailash Shahani also added with this "The only pictures you see
on their profile are those with family or attending meetings,
conferences, office events, travel and the like. I guess that
wisdom also comes with age and experience. Others can only
learn along the way."