When Looking For A Job, Watch Out For ìInvisible Tattoosî

When it comes to making a professional career change, it is well agreed that tattoos (and for that matter, any other highly personal markings) are inappropriate to have in evidence. ìAnd yet, many candidates still unknowingly reveal far too much of themselves as part of todayís information-intense society,î said Robert Graber, founder of the online recruiting site, WallStJobs.com.

For example, companies now routinely search a candidateís name on the web and check social networking sites as part of their research. ìDoes your Facebook or MySpace account evidence less than professional information?î cautioned Mr. Graber. ìDonít forget to note what others may have posted on your site. Everything is subject to scrutiny.î

Another often overlooked ìrevealî that might not project the type of image you want is your screen name or personal e-mail address. ìSome of these monikers were created years ago.î noted Graber. ìAt that time there was little career downside to choosing cute or suggestive labels. Unfortunately, like a tattoo, in todayís market these can often create cases of, ëtoo much information.í Be sure all of your on-line identifiers are appropriate.î

Graber offered two other non-internet ìtellsî that might spell trouble:

-Personalized license plates on your car. ìThese can be misconstrued as personality profiles,î notes Graber. ìPut yourself in the place of a corporate executive and imagine how you would react to your employee handing out a business card with what is on the license plate. Is it less than professional? If so, it might be time to surrender them.î

-Bumper stickers ìPolitical affiliations, social action positions, and even allegiance to a particular sports team might work against you in some cases,î warns Graber. ìSuch public proclamations of personal information can be the tipping point when a company is making a hiring decision.î

ìEmployers try to get as complete a picture of a potential new hire as possible, so be certain that the elements of the image that you can control are flattering and in keeping with professional standards,î advises Graber.