GRADUATE GAFFES: Robert Half Career Expert Offers Digital Etiquette Advice to Job-Hunting Grads

MENLO PARK, Calif., May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- School's almost out, but class is always in session when it comes to the job search. As new graduates prepare to enter the work world, they should pay as much attention to technology "etiquette" as they do promoting their mastery of technology. Max Messmer, chairman and CEO of Robert Half International and author of Job Hunting For Dummies®, 2nd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), offers insight into how to avoid six common faux pas when launching a career.

"The class of 2011 can use technology and social media to help their career prospects," Messmer said. "But just one unprofessional online post or mobile device misstep can derail an applicant's chances of landing a coveted role."

Messmer and the career experts at Robert Half identify six of the biggest technology etiquette errors and tips to avoid them on the job hunt:

1. Posting imprudently. Employers often turn to the Web for information about job applicants. Polish and protect your reputation by using a combination of good judgment, adequate privacy settings and the delete button. Remove indiscriminate photos and questionable content from social media sites, blogs and chats. Think strategically about what you share, post and tweet going forward.
2. Leaving your bio blank. Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn provide space to summarize who you are and what you're looking for in a job or career. An incomplete profile is a missed opportunity. Craft one highlighting your relevant work history and accomplishments, internships, education, community activities and student group or professional association memberships. Help employers find you by using key industry terms when describing your skills, objectives and positions of interest.
3. Corresponding carelessly. Email is a more casual medium, but the rules of writing still apply. Proofread your job application materials and emails diligently. Hot job prospects can cool quickly if your message is littered with typos or texting shorthand.
4. Adopting an 'all about me' attitude. Networking sites make it easy to reach out for job leads, introductions, recommendations and general career assistance. That said, you won't get far if you inundate contacts with requests but rarely return the favor. Be gracious when asking for help, offer prompt appreciation and look for ways to reciprocate. Paying it forward is a great way to build professional goodwill.
5. Experiencing technical difficulties. More companies are interviewing promising long-distance candidates using software applications like Skype. Before a video meeting, do a trial run with a friend to make sure your webcam and microphone are working properly. This also will help you fix any lighting issues or distracting background elements. For phone interviews, make sure you have a strong cell signal if you don't have access to a landline.
6. Misusing mobile devices during interviews. Be smart with your smartphone: Turn it off. Loudly chatting on the phone or listening to your iPod as you wait for the interviewer is inconsiderate. While it should go without saying, never respond to a call or text message during the actual interview. And don't text a hiring manager after the meeting -- pick up the phone or send an email if you haven't heard back within a couple of weeks.    

For additional etiquette tips on using professional and social networking sites, mobile devices, email, instant messaging, web conferencing and more, download Robert Half's comprehensive guide, Business Etiquette: The New Rules in a Digital Age, at www.roberthalf.us/businessetiquette.

About Robert Half International

Founded in 1948, Robert Half is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm, with more than 350 offices worldwide. The company's professional staffing divisions include Accountemps®, Robert Half® Finance & Accounting and Robert Half® Management Resources, for temporary, full-time and senior-level project professionals, respectively, in the fields of accounting and finance; OfficeTeam®, for highly skilled office and administrative support professionals; Robert Half® Technology, for project and full-time technology professionals; Robert Half® Legal, for project and full-time staffing of lawyers, paralegals and legal support personnel; and The Creative Group®, for interactive, design, marketing, advertising and public relations professionals. For more information about the specialized staffing and recruitment divisions of Robert Half, visit www.roberthalf.com, and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/roberthalf.

SOURCE Robert Half International