What’s going to happen in 2012? For Malaysia, the one thing that everyone’s expecting is undoubtedly the General Election.

But what about the job searching and employment market in 2012? Can anyone make an accurate prediction? The latest statistics on unemployment rate as of October 2011 was at 3.0%, one of the lowest in months. It was at 3.7% in July 2010. This little fact should boosts employees confidence on the economy and employment market in general. Unless something adverse or dramatic event takes place, it’s a safe bet to predict a healthy job market to continue throughout 2012.

However, if you are currently unemployed or unhappy with your work, what might be some of the things you can do to ensure you reap the advantages of a stable and possibly a booming job market?

Rick Marini, CEO and founder, BranchOut, the professional network on Facebook, believes it’s all about mobile, using social networking sites to job search, and considering a job hunt. Here are Rick’s 2012 job market predictions Rick’s 2012 job market predictions:

Prediction #1: A favorable online identity will be key to employment success

With social networking playing an increasingly key role in the employment process, it’s important for job seekers to clearly identify which networks they want to participate in and mold their online identities accordingly. 90% of recruiters check social networks before hiring a candidate, which means that your online persona should properly represent you and show that you’re the right person for the job.

For 2012:

• Ensure you’ve activated the correct privacy settings, especially on Facebook; hide images or comments that you wouldn’t want a future employer to see.

Prediction #2: Now more than ever, it’s all about mobile

The explosion of mobile usage will continue to grow in 2012, causing a shift in the way people exchange information. The ever-increasing use of smartphones means people are foregoing traditional networking avenues like exchanging business cards in favor of connecting digitally. 77% of job seekers are already using mobile apps when searching, and this figure will undoubtedly rise in the coming year.

For 2012:

• Become an expert at using mobile versions of networking websites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Prediction #3: The “unhappy employee” group of job seekers will begin seeking better pastures

As the economy improves and unemployment rates decrease, more people will look to change jobs that make them happier. Though this group has always existed, their numbers are expected to grow.

For 2012:

• Unhappy employees should continue to make the most of their current jobs while looking for a new position since it’s easier to get a job when you have a job.

• Leverage Facebook to be your catalyst for change. With 18.4 million people crediting Facebook for helping them find their current job in 2011, it’s the obvious and most natural place to turn since it houses all of your true personal connections.