10 Important Things to Remember When Job Hunting

10 Important Things to Remember When Job Hunting10 Important Things to Remember When Job HuntingJob hunting can often feel like a game of multitasking. When youre submitting multiple cover letters, resumes, and online applications into various systems, preparing for interviews and schmelzglasing with hiring managers and recruiters, it can be hard not to let anything slip through the cracks. If you think youre forgetting something- you might be. But, weve got your back Here are 10important things (that you might not have even thought of) to remember when job searching. Double-Check Your Facebook Privacy Settings On Facebook, simply hiding your tagged photos or wall posts may not be enough. Potential employers might still be able to view pages youve liked, or events youve attended or RSVPd to- and you may not want recruiters or hiring managers to see the bar crawl or burlesque show you went to. To see how your page looks to the public, navigate to the Timeline and Tagging page and then, in the Review section, click Review what other people see on your timeline. Check Your Instagram Account As long as your Instagram account is work-appropriate, you dont have to keep it private. In creative professions, your Instagram feed can actually be a clever way to illustrate your personal aesthetic. However, theres more to Instagram than just the photos you post. Be aya to check the photos youre tagged in, which an employer could easily view from your profile. Note that anyone whos following you can also see your comments and likes. Dont Forget About Old Social Media Profiles Beyond your current and active social accounts, are old profiles like your Myspace, Tumblr, or Livejournal visible? You can find out by searching old usernames. If you dont remember them, try Googling your name (ideally encased in quotes, e.g., First Name Last Name) and any old email addresses to see what comes up. Check Other Profiles If youre using a video or audio platform likeZoom, S kype, or Google Hangouts, make sure your profile is professional. This includes your profile photo, associated email address, and- in the case of Skype or Zoom- your status. Check Your Video Interview Background If youre doing a video interview with the camera on, make sure your backdrop is clean and distraction-free. For example, your potential employer does not want to see piles of dirty laundry or your cats litter box. Youd be surprised at how much can be visible, so be sure to log on and check before your video call starts. Taking some time to prep will ensure that you have a successful interview experience. Keep Your Email Account Up-To-Date Many email clients, such as Gmail, include a feature where you can upload a profile photo that appears next to your name. If you use this feature, be sure to use a professional headshot (vs. a portrait of you wearing the latest Snapchat filter, for example). Youll also want to double-check that your email signature is up-to-date and professional. If you use Gmail you may have a Google Plus account associated with your email address, so double-check that one too. Even if you dont think youve ever even touched your Google Plus account, its worth taking a quick peek at it to ensure it reflects positively on you. Review Any Personal Websites or Portfolios If you link to anything like a personal site, portfolio, or blog anywhere on your resume, cover letter, or on your LinkedIn page, be sure these sites are accessible (e.g., sometimes web hosting or domain names can expire without you knowing) and up-to-date, reflecting your most recent (and best) accomplishments. Match Your Resume to Your LinkedIn While your resume may very well be a condensed version of your LinkedIn (so that it fits on one or two pages), for positions that do show up in both places, be sure that details such as a job title, dates of employment, and key responsibilities are consistent across both platforms. Ensure Your References Know They May Be Contacted If youve listed or submitted references, dont forget to let your references know. You should also give them some information about the positions youve applied to- a link to the job listing, the companys about page, and a brief note outlining how youve described your experience should suffice. Take a few minutes to follow-up with your references after your interviews. Be Responsive From responding to an invitation to interview, to following up an interview with a thank you note, dont forget to be responsive. By definition, this means your responses should be prompt. Dont let too much time lag, especially when it comes to messages that require you to take action (e.g., letting a potential employer know what days or times would work best for an interview, or sending along references or your portfolio). If too much time passes, the hiring manager may assume youre not that interested, or may just pass you over for someone who was quick and enthusiastic in their replies.