Job Searching? Don’t Forget These 12 Important Things
Job searching can feel like a game of multitasking. When you’re submitting multiple resumes, cover letters, and online applications into various systems, preparing for interviews, and emailing with hiring managers and recruiters, it can be hard not to let anything slip through the cracks.
If you think you’re forgetting something—you might be. But we’ve got your back! Here are some important things (that you might not have even thought of) not to forget when job searching.
1. 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). Canva has a free tool you can use to generate a headshot. You’ll also want to double-check that your email signature is current and professional.
2. Ensure links to personal websites or portfolios are working and updated.
If you link to a personal site, portfolio, or blog on your resume, cover letter, or from your LinkedIn page, be sure these sites are accessible (sometimes web hosting or domain names can expire without you knowing) and current, reflecting your most recent (and best) accomplishments.
3. Make sure your resume matches your LinkedIn profile.
Your resume may very well be a condensed version of your LinkedIn (so that it fits on one or two pages). But for positions that do show up both on your resume and LinkedIn profile, be sure that details such as a job title, dates of employment, and key responsibilities are consistent across both platforms. Employers will notice if there’s a mismatch.
4. Be careful what you post on LinkedIn.
Keep your LinkedIn posts professional and avoid posting too much information. Prospective employers don’t want to read about how terrible your last job was, how desperate you are for money, a pitch for your GoFundMe, or how awful recruiters and hiring managers are. Negativity won’t help you get hired.
5. Don’t rely on LinkedIn.
Sadly, LinkedIn has become inundated with spam, scammers, fake recruiters, and job postings. It’s still the best tool for professional networking, but for finding and applying for jobs, it can make sense to look in other places, too, and apply directly to employers.
6. Double-check your social media privacy settings.
On social media sites simply hiding your tagged photos or posts may not be enough. Potential employers might still be able to view pages you’ve liked, or events you’ve attended or RSVP’d 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, click on “View As” and you’ll see the information that’s available for anyone to see. Here’s how not to ruin your career on social media.
7. If your Instagram account is public, check your tagged photos.
As long as your Instagram account is work-appropriate, you don’t have to keep it private. In creative professions, your Instagram feed can actually be a clever way to illustrate your personal aesthetic. However, there’s more to Instagram than just the photos you post. Be sure to check the photos you’re tagged in, which an employer could easily view from your profile. Note that anyone who’s following you can also see your comments and likes.
8. Beyond your current and active social accounts, are old profiles visible?
You can find out by searching old usernames. If you don’t remember them, try Googling your name and any old email addresses to see what comes up.
9. If you’re using a video platform like Zoom, make sure your profile is professional.
This includes your profile photo, associated email address, and your status. Here’s a step-by-step guide for customizing your Zoom profile.
10. Be responsive.
From responding to an invitation to interview, to following up an interview with a thank-you note, don’t forget to be responsive. By definition, this means your responses should be prompt. Don’t 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 you’re not that interested, or may just pass you over for someone who was quick and enthusiastic in their replies.
11. When you’re applying to jobs that request references, ensure your references know to expect a call/email.
If you’ve listed or submitted references, don’t forget to let your references know. You should also give them some information about the positions you’ve applied to—a link to the job listing, the company’s ‘About’ page, and a brief note outlining how you’ve described your experience should suffice.
12. If you’re doing a video interview, make sure your backdrop is clean and distraction-free.
Your potential employer does not want to see piles of dirty laundry or your cat’s litter box. You’d be surprised at how much can be visible, so be sure to log on and check before your video call starts. You can join a Zoom Test Meeting to check and practice.
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