In today's highly connected job market, it's not just what you know that matters--it's also what recruiters know about you. Here are some key concerns for recruiters, and what you can do about them:
1. How you're conducting your search
In many cases, the best candidate for a recruiter is a "passive" job seeker, one who doesn't need a new position right away and is usually still employed. But even if you're actively seeking a new position, it pays to be highly targeted. Some companies are even asking recruiters to forgo their recruiting fee if the company can find a proffered candidate independently by searching multiple Internet job boards--even if the company would never have heard of the candidate without the recruiter's recommendation! So while job boards can be an excellent resource for you if you manage your job search yourself, if you decide to work with a recruiter, be sure to ask how you should best present yourself online.
Next steps: Target, target, target. Choose your job-search tools carefully, and consider utilizing the services of career-management sites who present your job skills and interests within the context of your overall career portfolio, and therefore position you effectively for recruiters.
2. Your online profile
Without question, recruiters know the importance of reviewing a prospective candidate's Internet profile--whether by querying a search engine; checking out LinkedIn or Facebook accounts; or reading candidates' personal websites, Twitter accounts, or blogs. If you have any objectionable or inappropriate content available online, consider removing it immediately. It may still show up in searches as cached content; however, by showing that you've taken steps to reduce access to this content, you'll increase your chances of being seriously considered for a position.
Next steps: Make sure your online profile is as professional as you are. If there's content out there that you can control, manage it as if it were vital to your personal brand--which it is. If there's negative content that you can address professionally and courteously, in the forums where it is raised, do that as well.
3. Your searchability factor
As damaging as negative online content can be to your job search, the Internet works both ways. If there's nothing available online about you--no social networking sites, articles that mention you, papers in your name, or listings of your activities--that communicates a different message to employers: that you're not connected. This may or may not be a concern, but if your ideal position is in marketing, sales, or public relations--or in advanced technical or strategic work--it's good to findable online.
Next steps: Create your online presence--stat. A carefully established online brand can help create and reinforce your potential future employers' positive opinion of you.
Extra Tip: By taking the time to develop a professional, positive online profile at a respected career-management site, you demonstrate how much you value your professional image--and your long-term career aspirations.
Mike O'Brien is an innovative entrepreneur dedicated to helping others create breakthrough success, and is the founder and CEO of Climber.com, one of the nation's leading online career-management sites. For more information about how to find your perfect career, visit Climber.com, or connect with Mike on LinkedIn.
Job Info , Jobs Sources , Career
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