You’ve got a lot on your mind when you’re looking for your next job. Before you Google, "job posting near me," follow this easy job hunting checklist to ensure you're putting your best foot forward before you click "apply."
1. Censor Your Social Media Presence
Many hiring managers and job recruiters will do a quick search on you to see what appears online – including on social media. Make sure you aren’t leaving the wrong impression.
First and foremost, update your security settings on your personal profiles so your social media profiles aren’t public. In other words, you want only those connected to you to be able to see your posts. However, your profile picture will still show up in a public search. Make sure the image is appropriate and change it if not.
An exception to this rule is on LinkedIn, where you may be sharing highly valuable, industry-related updates that appeal to recruiters. In that case, it’s okay to leave your profile public.
If you’ve gotten yourself into a Twitter spat, now is the time to start deleting those tweets.
2. Clear Out Your Voicemails
It’s understandable if you’re not able to take a recruiter’s call at any time of the day, but make sure you have space in your voicemail box for them to leave you a message. When they do, call back as soon as possible. A good rule of thumb is to return calls within one business day.
If you haven’t listened to your outgoing voicemail message in a while, give it a listen and make sure it’s professional. A good script to follow is, “Thank you for calling (name or phone number). I am unable to take your call at this time. Please leave a message and I will return your call as soon as I can.”
3. Get a Professional Email Address
If you don’t already have a personal email address, set one up as soon as possible––it’s a required field on many job applications. Many search engine companies provide email addresses free of charge. Gmail is a popular service.
If possible, use an email address that is your first and last name. Many people use a period in between their first and last names. If you have a common name, you may have to include a middle initial or add a number. Do not use your birth date or other sensitive information that would help a hacker attack your account.
Most importantly, don't opt for an email address that’s excessively playful or whimsical. While you may be the biggest Cowboys fan on the planet, CowboysFan1234 isn’t the most professional email address.
4. Create or Update Your Resume
While not all jobs require you to have a resume, it can never hurt to have one at the ready. Creating a resume in a rush will lead to a poor final product.
If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your resume, spend time updating it. Many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that store your resume during the talent acquisition process. It’s important to include keywords and format your resume properly for an ATS. Need advice? Our professional team is happy to help you update your resume for success.
5. Connect with Your References
Line up a list of people who know you both personally and professionally who are willing to say a good word about you to future employers. Have their names, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses written down so you can find them quickly when asked.
It’s common courtesy to let a reference know when you have given their information to a prospective employer.
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