ajcjobs > BlogBreak > Archives > 2008 > April > 30 > Entry
Spring cleaning for your summer job search
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It won’t be long before college and high school students dust off their grown-up clothes to go off in search of a summer job. Armed with a nice resume and a good black pen to fill out the many job applications you’ll be completing, you’re off to a good start.
Make sure that you also take advantage of any connections that your parents, neighbors, friends, and others close to you may have, as you begin networking to identify potential opportunities.
There’s one other thing that is often over-looked by students. That’s the need to do a little spring cleaning. I’m not talking cleaning your room or washing windows. I’m talking about cleaning up your digital dirt and polishing up your professional image.
We’ve all heard about how the information you have posted on-line can be detrimental to your job search, but students shouldn’t assume that this advice only applies to college grads who are looking for full time jobs. Employers are now commonly doing on-line searches prior to making job offers for both full and part time jobs.
Here are some tips to make sure you present yourself as professionally as possible:
- Make sure you never post any controversial photos of yourself in your on-line profile. Even if you take them off your own site, they still live on in cyberspace.
- Try to steer clear of the camera if your friend is taking photos that could be misunderstood if taken out of context. You don’t want to end up tagged in a photo posted on your friend’s profile page.
- Avoid listing hobbies or interests related to politics, religion, or other controversial topics. Don’t set up RSS feeds in your profile that link to controversial blogs.
- Change your outgoing message on your cell phone voice mail so that it sounds professional. Never use cute sayings, religious blessings or background music.
- Don’t sign up for the answer tones that your cell phone service offers. Employers do not want to hear your favorite song or joke when they call. Use a normal ring.
- Always list a professional email address on your resume and check your email daily when you’re in a job search.
- Be aware of the Facebook groups you join. Employers may not have your same sense of humor or may not be aware of the irony.
- Pay attention to your cell phone’s caller ID and only answer calls from unknown numbers when you’re in an appropriate place to talk without distraction.
- If you list a home phone number, make sure anyone who lives at your home (roommates, younger siblings) understands the importance of taking complete messages when you’re away and designate a central place for your messages.
- It should be obvious, but never, ever answer your phone or send texts during an interview. Turn your phone off before you walk into the interview.
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