A good resume is a good way to get your foot in the door, but it’s not enough to secure the job. Your reputation is important. After reading your resume, recruiters and hiring managers are going to look you up.
So, what happens when everything doesn’t go according to plan? Our careers drag on throughout the course of our lives, and it’s possible that you don’t have the best reputation with every single one of your previous employers. It can be worrisome to think that you could be so close to getting your next big break, only to have it ruined by one small aspect of your past.
Here are some ways to audit your reputation.
Start with social media
People live online, but that isn’t always a good thing. What you post on the internet can create permanent damage. Trivial things, like a snarky comment, can be the reason you’re not hired. In other words, delete your political arguments from your LinkedIn and stop getting in fights with the comment section.
In that same vein, privatize accounts that include posts about drama, raunchy photos and any qualms you have with other people. Regardless of the circumstance, right or wrong, employers don’t want to see that kind of content posted publicly. Everyone serves as a brand ambassador for the company they work for. If you can’t represent yourself in a positive way, you won’t be considered for any role, regardless of the title.
Own and overcome it
If there’s a negative part of your history that you can put to bed, do it. However, If you KNOW something is going to come up, there’s no use in putting off the inevitable. Hiring managers know that they’re not going to be hiring an absolute “perfect” person, but they do want a candidate that is capable of overcoming their mistakes. When bringing up problematic issues from past jobs, take the opportunity to share how you’ve grown from that situation. Own your mistakes.
Shift to the favorable parts of your resume
It may be in your best interest to shift focus towards jobs that have favorable references. You don’t want to shine an extra spotlight on an already bleak situation. Once it’s come up, you need to change the trajectory of the conversation by focusing on the good stuff.
You chose your narrative when you step into an interview, so make sure that you spend the majority of your time showcasing why you would be a good fit instead of why your past mistakes don’t affect your performance.
Check before using your employer as a reference
People may assume that companies don’t call up references, but many still do. Before you hand out every number for references, you’re going to want to double-check with your former supervisors. Ask them directly what they would say and if they’re willing to serve as a reference. You can also use a colleague to call them to see what they would say before submitting them.
Our Consultants take a holistic and consultative approach to the leaders and managers we serve. Regardless of the next step in your career, our goal is to ignite your professional growth and leverage our expertise to help you with your next step; whatever that may be. Reach out to them here.