Technology is an important part of our everyday lives. In fact, most communication would not be possible without it. However, the casual use of technology can easily derail a job seeker's career prospects. During my experience reviewing thousands of resumes and screening, interviewing, and hiring hundreds of job applicants, here are three of the worse offenders:
1. Email addresses. Your email address is much more than just a delivery method for messages to potential employers. It tells them something about you. First of all, hopefully, your name. Secondly, it can tell potential employers that you are professional. Or conversely, it could make them doubt your judgement.
If you've got 10,000 cats, piercings in places that would make most people cringe, or a foot fetish, the email address you use with potential employers is not the place to share those juicy little tidbits.
2. The ringback. Ringbacks replace the traditional ring heard when you call someone. The cell phone owner gets to show some style and personality by selecting the music that you hear when you call them.
While I have nothing against them in general, during an active job search ringbacks should be avoided. It's all about first impressions. No matter what genre of music you select, from classical to hard rock, there is the potential to "turn off" a potential employer. And forget about using a joke ringback. Those are the worst. Seventy-five percent of the ones I heard when I called potential job candidates where tacky at best. Most were just plain offensive.
3. Voicemail. Nothing annoys a recruiter more than a phone that just rings. If you are in the midst of an active job search, invest in voicemail. Once you've set up your voicemail, keep it professional. Consider it an audition. When a potential employer calls you'll be giving them a taste of what they can expect when you talk to their customers.
Technology can offer a powerful boost to your job search, if you use it wisely. So, while following the guidelines above might cramp your style a bit, remember, it is just during your active job search. And don't worry. Your favorite singer, comedian, or political candidate and your 10,000 cats will understand.
To hear the broadcast show discussing the above, visit the Top Job Candidate™ Strategies Show on BlogTalkRadio at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/UrbanCareerCoach.
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Contributor's Note
Roxanne Ravenel teaches job seekers how to become Top Job Candidates™ to compete in a tough job market. She is the creator and facilitator of comprehensive job search strategy workshops and learning programs delivered onsite or in a TeleClass format.
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