One Way Recruiters Size You Up

Here is one little secret about recruiters - They look at social media!

In the good old days you would turn in a resume for a job opening and show up for an interview.  That was all you needed to worry about.  Maybe you needed to worry about references too, but not really.  Jobs were offered based on the impression a hiring manager would get off a resume and an interview.  The technology capabilities of today were not around in past years to really see the possibly multiple faces of a person.  But boy have the times changed!

When you are looking to change jobs within or without of your current company, you should consider what hiring managers and recruiters have available to do background checks on you.  I am not talking about security, criminal, or past employment resources.  I am talking about social media.

Tip of the day:  Be cognitive of your social media leaks
I met up with a recruiter for lunch one day and she told me about a phone screening she had just conducted with a potential candidate for a job opening.  Following which she looked up the candidate on Facebook and Twitter.
"Wait!  You do that? You check people's Facebook and Twitter?"  I said.
"Yea.  It's a practice I normally take.  Not all recruiters do that, but I do."  She said.

Her visit to those social networking sites actually ended up working against the candidate.   The recruiter found unfriendly posts that the candidate wrote about her current company and position.  She also posted descriptions of the attire she wears to work, which the recruiter did not find very professional or appealing.  I probably do not have to tell you, but it is obvious the candidate was no longer being considered for the job once the recruiter saw perhaps the real side of the candidate.

BE ADVISED - Your social networking sites can be visited by recruiters!  It is like the interview and screening process has now moved into social media.  Everything else has moved into social media, so why not job screening?  Don't get me wrong, I think recruiters should use social media to view all the "faces" of a candidate.  I think it is a great idea and very useful.  You will eliminate double-minded and doubled-faced individuals who can put on a very pleasant but very deceitful personality during a job interview.

If you are not a recruiter, I think you know what to do regarding social networking sites now.  Keep your sites professional, avoid immature comments and pictures, and keep in mind of your new found knowledge of recruiting practices.  A post two or three weeks ago can be visited by a recruiter today.  I mentioned keeping things professional, maybe professional is not the best word to use for Facebook, but keep your posts mature and classy.  This means to post something attractive and of good character.  Of course your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites are informal, but they need to be respectable...for future possibilities.  They could make or break you in a professional setting.

Bottom line, be cognitive of your social media leaks AND future possibilities.

What to do if you have a hole in your work history on your resume

You are good!  That was yesterday, not today!

Do not be too concerned if you have a time period in your work history that you did not work.  Be confident in yourself and realize it might not be that big of a deal.  Yea a hiring manager might notice the gap on your resume, but do not let it be a focus for you.  Your focus should be on the qualifications you bring to the interviewer's table.  Your focus should be on presenting yourself as the best candidate for the job.  Being the best candidate does not include you talking much about having a gap in your work history.

The following will give a few ways to help those in need with work history holes.  Remember what has been said already - the focus is not on your hole, but you as the best candidate.

Tip of the day #1:  Resume tip

You could "disguise" your hole so that it is not so noticeable.  It is all about arranging your resume and designing it properly.  Your gaps in your work history will most likely be noticed but dates.  So, it is naturally to make sure the dates do not stick out.  Do not bold your dates or have them in large font sizes.  Avoid having them highlighted on the side away from the bulk of your work history description.  Put the dates close to the descriptions so that it is disguised.

Tip of the day #2:  Don't ask, don't tell
No need to bring up a hole in your resume if not asked about it.  You do not need to explain it if the interviewer is not wondering about it.  It is as simple as that.  Just remember to focus on presenting yourself as the best candidate for the job.

Tip of the day #3:  If asked, be confident, talk about it briefly and then...
If you are asked about your gap, do not sweat it.  Just briefly mentioned why you had a hole and then tell what you did during that time to better yourself and to keep yourself busy.  For example, I was once laid off.  I had two months where I was unemployed.  When asked about that gap, I said I spent time apply for jobs online and in person, updating my resume and cover letter for each job I applied for, I spent time deep cleaning of my house (this is always entertaining for interviewers to hear), and I sign up and trained for a half Ironman Triathlon.

However you decide to deal with your hole in your work history, keep it short and re-direct the focus to that job opening at hand.  If you do not focus on the gap, neither will the interviewer.