College students about to enter the workforce during these weak economic times have an opportunity to control what their potential employers will know and need to know about them-
at least more than a paper resume could ever show. It wasn’t so long ago that I was applying for my job and I relied predominately on a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 1/2 piece of paper.
I crammed as much text as possible onto that resume. My reputation lay in the hands of the information I presented here and maybe the three individuals I list at the bottom as references.
If Barrack Obama taught us anything over the course of his campaign it was how influential an online resume can be. He built an online network unlike any other and used it to supplement his traditional campaign.
In the end, he used social media to get the job, so-to-speak.
The blending of real world networking and online social networking can be the difference between getting your first interview and getting your first job.
For the seniors in college, I encourage you to think about hard your facebook profile and yes, delete pictures that put your reputation in question. Share your life online, share your experiences, but share wisely.
Your employers will google you.
Those results are your new resume.