Here is another great article
full of pointers about how not to use LinkedIn.
I think some of the key points in it can be used in other facets
of your online presence, personal brand, and your resume. Here are some thoughts.
People disclosing
their age as the reason they do not believe they are being hired.
This does not just go for LinkedIn. Like the article says - legally an employer
cannot ask your age. That being said, in today’s job
market, employers are just looking for a reason to eliminate someone since
there is an overabundance of similarly qualified candidates out there. Do not help them put your name in the reject
pile. Do your best to keep your age out of it.
Do not put it on your resume; do not put it on your LinkedIn, Twitter,
or Facebook (if these are publicly tied to you).
Some of you will say that the employer can tell from your education and
experience dates (or from your photo) what your age is. This is true, but by you putting it out there
(especially in the manner it is portrayed in the article); you indicate to them
that it matters to you. If it is
important to you to point out, they may think on it more so than they would
have before.
Disclosing all the
reasons they have heard so far as to why they were not offered a job.
Again like above, do not give an employer any fodder. First of all, this sort of statement
typically comes across as being whiney and/or negative. No employer in their right mind wants to
bring someone into their organization who starts off complaining. This advice isn’t just for LinkedIn. We are all guilty of it. We do not get a job (because, let’s face it…
no one gets every job thy interview for) and in our frustration we tell others
the why and how of it. Clearly we are
not saying this as a positive thing, and negativity turns people off. If you must say something, think of a
positive spin. For example, if they say
you are overqualified find out what the next step up in the organization is and
set your sights on that. See if someone
in HR or the hiring manager can give you feedback on how you can prepare
yourself to be an ideal candidate for that position the next time it comes
around. Bottom line - be Proactive, not Reactive.
Derogatory statements
about HR professionals, recruiters, and hiring managers.
Again, avoid coming off as negative at all costs. I can’t stress this enough, and neither can
the author of the article. In a
professional environment (and honestly, even in personal situations as well), you
should be cautious about everything you say.
When a potential employer hears (or sees) you badmouthing a former
employer, another potential employer, or anyone at all, they will automatically
assume that they can count on similar treatment from you also. It’s human nature. If you put across a positive image, you will
get one back. If you put negativity out
into the world, you will get it back. If
you are making negative or derogatory comments regarding other professionals,
you might as well throw in the towel now.
You cannot ever hope to have an employer think of you as a viable
candidate if all they can see is the tension and conflict your negativity will
bring to their organization.
The best advice I can give is this… The world is watching. You no longer have the luxury of speaking your mind and having it stay private. Everything you put online is permanent. There is no taking it back, and it is difficult to separate yourself from it once it’s out there. So be very careful what you say. Approach your online presence as if you are already sitting in the lobby, waiting for your interview - best foot forward, on your game, and ready to set the world on fire!
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