TOP MISTAKES MADE BY ONLINE JOB SEEKERS

Gone are the days of sending resumes and cover letters in tightly sealed envelopes and the correct amount of postage via the post offices. Gone also are the days when potential employers had to meet applicants in person for interview purposes to learn more about them and their qualifications. Today, job seekers still send their necessary paperwork, only through emails instead and potential employers have many more resources at their fingertips to learn about applicants, like social media sites and blogs. With the advent and popularity of email and the internet, many job seekers are forgetting the proper rules and etiquette of looking for employment. Below, are two of the most common mistakes made by online job seekers and the best ways to avoid making them yourself.

First, online job seekers often forget their manners. Most tech savvy people these days have several social media sites or a blog that can include pictures, status updates and other information. Potential employers often search these sites for more information about their candidates, hoping to narrow down the list of applicants early. Vulgar information or pictures posted on these sites can disqualify you for a potential job before you even know you're being considered. A recent study reports that 79 percent of hiring managers check the social media sites of applicants before making the final hiring decisions, and 70 percent have reportedly rejected candidates based on the information posted on those sites. All job seekers should clean up their blogs, personal websites and social media pages to reflect a more professional demeanor and appearance.

Also, many job seekers make the mistake of only looking online for employment. In this current economic climate, there are many more people unemployed and searching for work and many more companies trying to save money on extraneous costs like employment advertising. This means fewer companies are posting jobs online and more people are applying to the positions that are available via the web. Job seekers should consider researching area companies or firms in their desired field and sending resumes or letters to the hiring manager directly. Just because they do not have open positions listed on their websites does not mean they don't exist. Also, this effort can prove to the hiring manager that you take the initiative and are driven professionally.

Avoiding these two common pitfalls made by online job seekers can help put you back on the right track to possible employment.