02 Sep 09 Writing A Web 2.0 Resume

Sending in paper resumes when searching for employment is becoming obsolete, and for most jobs now only serves as an ancient reminder of the way things used to be done.  Most jobs require electronic application and resume submission, it’s just quicker for a company to do things completely computerized.  With that is the way reference checks are changing as the time of the internet takes a stronger foothold than ever before.  Nowadays it’s not uncommon for an employer to turn to Google, or social networking sites like Facebook, or even Twitter, to get a feel for a potential employee.

By making ourselves so incredibly easily available on the internet, you may not even realize how these things can come back to haunt you in unexpected ways.  Which is exactly why everyone should realize that with every resume, you almost need to prepare a web 2.0 resume alongside.  Of course I’m not referring to an actual document you should write, but instead make sure that the internet smiles kindly upon you to anyone doing a search.

Google yourself and see what comes up, make sure you like what you see, or else strive to change the negative points.  Nothing shows a good reference like going to a completely unbiased source, such as Google, and only seeing positive information.  Plus simple search engine exploration like this is faster and easier than a company trying to track down your references on the phone to get a feel for your personality.

So here are a few tips for shaping up your Web 2.0 resume:

1. Make yourself available online.  If you have a job, such as being a freelance writer, where internet recognition is very important, make sure that you’re easy enough to find.  A company looking to hire a talented blogger isn’t going to turn to you if they can’t find your alias on Google within the first few pages of results.

2. Make sure that information is positive.  You don’t want a new potential company Googling your  name and then finding a post where all you do is bash your former employer.  Nothing would turn off a new company more.

3. Create your own strictly professional web page, to act as an easy to read career resume.  Make sure you’ve got an accurate career portfolio up, and go the extra distance by having a custom email address URL related to your website where they can contact you.  Both factors will make you look informed, and prepared for what’s expected in the web 2.0 environment.

4. Social networking professionally.  Make sure that you have professional alternatives to your social networking, and that you maintain relationships through them effectively.  Keep things strictly business, to show that you are a hardworking potential employee that knows the difference between what is and isn’t appropriate.

Tags: Alias, Blogger, Electronic Application, Electronic Resume, Facebook, Foothold, Freelance Writer, Google, Personality, Positive Information, Reference Checks, Reminder, Resume Paper, Search Engine, Search Google, Simple Search, Social Networking Sites, Submission, Web Resume, Writing Resume