An increasing number of states have recently passed laws that prohibit employers from obtaining passwords to a job applicant’s social media accounts. Such legislation highlights companies’ interest in finding out as much as they can about potential and even current employees.

Even though conventional wisdom has encouraged employees and job applicants to exercise restraint in what they post on social media sites, the ease with which pictures, information and opinions are posted (with just a few taps on a smartphone or tablet) has made social media — or even a Google search, for that matter — a treasure trove of information that potential employers will not find on an application or learn about in an interview.