With the advent of the internet and myriad of related technologies, it is easier than ever to connect with people online and promote your particular skills, experience and personal attributes in the hope of expanding your network or pitching for an open position.
However, things can go awry.
Consider this. A recent graduate engaged us to work solely on his cover letter as he was quite pleased with his resume and "online presence". He was convinced that his inability to construct a professional cover letter was hindering his ability to connect with an employer, specifically, some of Vancouver's larger corporations.
On reviewing his resume, I couldn't help but notice the web address that adorned each page, enticing the reader to view www.HISNAME.com.
Naturally, I followed the link into his "online presence" and was greeted by a picture of what appeared to be a magician with magic dust circling his head and skulls and crossbones in each corner of the screen. The site had several public access areas but the content did not get any better. In among this strange blend of artistry, detailed personal preferences and inappropriate symbology lay his online resume profile!
The candidate had been sending out his resume for lower level roles in large corporations and was not receiving any encouragement whatsoever from the employers he was contacting. I wonder why!
Sometimes I think it goes without saying that this approach should not be aspired to, but perhaps i'm being presumptuous. There are many people out there keen to leverage any perceived advantage in order to steal a march on the competition. Ironically, in such cases, you're guaranteed to have your resume make acquaintance with the corporate shredder in short order.
I don't recommend www.YOURNAME.com type profiles. There's no need for them. Further, there is always the tendency to "expand" upon irrelevancies, upload a mugshot, customize the template to include favourite colours and designs or include information that is entirely inappropriate for review by a CORPORATE hiring manager.
As an experienced Recruiter, I often came across online resume links. It gave me another opportunity to vet the applicant and assess his/her suitability for the role. Read that line again. It's all you need to know!
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