In addition to checking into new hires, organizations are also looking at their employees.  It is important for companies to protect their brand, prevent lawsuits, and prevent the dissemination of privileged company information.  If you are reading this, you probably have a good head on your shoulders and do not need to worry about discipline from your employer.  However, content that you would never expect is resulting in the dismissal of employees.  We offer you 5 quick tips for avoiding dismissal in your office:

1. Do not “friend” your boss on Facebook.

Facebook is a social network.  Even if your boss is the best guy or gal in the world, at some point they probably will upset you—and that night, you just might take to Facebook to talk about how poorly your life has been progressing as of late.  The potential problem is this: your boss may think (correctly too) that your post is from work, and probably become a little ticked off that you are venting on the internet.  Instead, add your boss as a contact on LinkedIn.  If your boss friend requests you, tell them that you appreciate the offer, but would value them more as a LinkedIn contact—and that as the work relationship develops into a personal relationship organically, you will be comfortable becoming Facebook friends.  We recommend the same course of action for co-workers.

2. Never turn over your personal social media passwords.

Recently, more and more companies have been asking employees for their personal passwords.  Do not do this. While this practice is still legal in some states, the legality of this is quickly changing state by state. (California, Illinois, Maryland, and Michigan adopted social-media privacy laws in 2012, and a new law in Utah takes effect in May of this year.  According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, social-media privacy legislation has been introduced or is underway in 35 states so far in 2013.) When asked for your passwords, politely tell your superior that you have nothing to hide, but feel that handing over a password is an invasion of your privacy.  In addition, it is a good idea to consult an attorney if this ever arises.

3. Limit profile visibility.

Are you going to tweet after you’ve painted the town?  Post pictures on Instagram during perhaps less than responsible moments?  Would you, in all your excitement, accidently talk about how awesome it was to skip out of work early on a Friday?  If any of these is even remotely a possibility, then your profiles should not be public (for all of those that can be set to complete privacy).  In addition, profiles that do not allow full privacy settings should not contain your name.  Of course, this will not matter if you are friends with or are followed by any of your co-workers or your boss.  Just be sure no one who matters can see that you used your “sick day” to fly to Vegas.

4. Do not access social media on company equipment.

Do not, do not, do not, access social media on company phones and computers.  When you do this, you are essentially granting permission to the company  to look at everything in your browser history and everything that has appeared on your screen.  Do you know how many background programs run on a company computer? No? Quite a few.  Typically, a superior can pull reports of how long you’ve spent on sites, including Facebook, and sometimes even view your screen if they want, without your knowledge.  This applies to the use of cell phones as well—your browser history and GPS coordinates are probably being logged by the IT department.

5. Stay positive.

Most of the problems employees encounter online are based on negativity.  If something less than ideal happens do not whine. Do not post something to Twitter or Instagram if something refuses to break your way.  If a co-worker is really driving you crazy, get coffee with a friend and vent to them.  If you do absolutely have to vent to the internet, do not include names, titles, projects, or anything that would allow someone to figure out that you might just be talking about them or something they are involved with.

If you are a conscientious employee that respects your company and boss, you likely will never have to worry about these things.  The company pays you to complete your tasks in a timely manner—not to gossip.  Your boss might not be the best, but making the best out of a situation is something that you can control every day.

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A brick wall.

That’s right: In most colleges, there’s a brick wall looking you straight in the face. How do you choose to see it? Is it a nice architectural choice, or a metaphor for the separation you feel from your professors? Many students may feel that this wall prevents them from developing real relationships with their professors. This barrier may be a problem you face — but it’s one you have the power to fix.

The Ideal Relationship

As a professor, I am very satisfied to hear a student say,“I wanted to do well in your class because I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

Performance in a class shouldn’t be just about the grade. It’s also about establishing a connection, and these students didn’t want to do less than what I knew they were capable of. That’s the type of trust all professors and students should strive for.

Of course, that sentiment goes both ways: As a teacher, I want to perform well so I don’t disappoint my students, either. (I joke with my students that I want them to feel they got their money’s worth.) I want my students to feel they got what they needed out of my class — and hopefully received something they didn’t expect, but were glad to get.

Professors are doing their students a service when they allow students the opportunity and space to be leaders in the classroom. The best work comes from professors and students having equal footing as explorers, working together to discover something new. That’s the kind of relationship every student should build during an academic career: a shared partnership in intellectual curiosity.

Finding the Right Connection

It’s a professor’s job to diffuse a certain level of knowledge to the entire class. If a student wants to explore past that level of knowledge, he should certainly seek me out in my office. Students need to ask questions — after that, I can individualize their learning, without individualizing my syllabus.

If you’re trying to find a professor to connect with, first look at what each faculty member is interested in. Instead of just looking at grade distribution or reviewing a profile on “Rate My Professor,” look at what they research and what they’re active in, inside and outside of the classroom. Take a look at your professors’ LinkedIn profiles or Twitter accounts to see their backgrounds and get a taste of their personalities.

A Common Misconception Between Big vs. Small

There’s a common misconception that if you choose to go to a state school, all of your classes will be held in a 500-person auditorium, leaving students with no hope of connecting with a professor. That’s just not true. Just because a class isn’t held in the most intimate classroom setting doesn’t mean you can’t connect with your professor. You may simply have to work a little harder to get noticed.

When I worked at a small, private college, my office was Grand Central Station, thanks to its location and open door. At a larger college, it may be harder to create that atmosphere, but not impossible. Unfortunately, sometimes when students visit me, it’s common to hear “This is the first time I have been to a professor’s office” — from seniors. Obviously, this troubles me.

So, how can you engage with a professor at a larger school? It takes initiative, pure and simple. Even when you’re in that 500-person class, you can still make a connection. Start by introducing yourself or stopping by the professor’s office. I’m a professor who is interested in what my students are interested in, but they have to give me the opportunity to connect with them.

Benefits — Now and Later

Students are more confident when they have a mentorship with a professor. It’s easier to find professional networking opportunities, thanks to professors’ contacts in their industries — and that small difference can have exponential benefits throughout a student’s career. The result is a stronger web of connections for the rest of the university, too.

For example, one of my students recently chatted with me about her future opportunities, and because of a still-strong relationship with a former student employed by a promotion company in New York, I was able to connect the two. This has been the case with other students as well: Students who engage with me, and stay engaged, often create opportunities for my current students.

But it’s not just a professional boost; it’s an intellectual and interpersonal one, too. A strong student-professor connection is, in my opinion, an essential part of a college education. I don’t think you’ve truly experienced college unless you can still call up a former professor five years later and have that person know who you are. That’s a bond that can help you reap even more benefits from your education, right now and for years down the road.

It’s time to break down the brick wall. The best way to start: Check out your professor’s office hours, pop in, and say “hi.” Really, it’s that simple.

Charles W. Keene is an assistant teaching professor at the University of Missouri’s Trulaske College of Business. Charles has been nominated for, and honored with, numerous teaching and mentoring awards at both small private and large public institutions.

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While there are several case studies of how having a website have helped people build a successful career and land a dream job, one of the most notable examples is that of Matthew Epstein.

In 2011, Matthew created a website aimed at getting Google to hire him; with a very creative video and some media push, Matthew’s website went viral and he eventually received 80 job interview offers from some of the biggest companies in the world including Google, Amazon and Microsoft.

While a lot of people won’t go viral and experience the kind of massive success Matthew experienced, having a website will still position you above majority of people who have to constantly send pitches and hope they get the job.

Another great example is Mishri’s.  After applying to hundreds of jobs and only getting around 6 – 7 interviews, Mishri didn’t get a job until she set up her website.

Other than the fact that a website positions you better to get a job by allowing recruiters to directly contact you, it also helps you in every aspects of your career. Here are some ways having a website can aid your career:

1. Having a Website Helps You Control what Information is found about You Online

According to recent data, 70% of U.S. recruiters and HR professionals said that they have rejected candidates based on information they find online. Also, 85% said that positive online reputation influences their hiring decision to some extent.

When hiring managers are looking to hire a prospective employee, one of the first places they visit is Google; they will look for various details about you, including your social media profiles, online activity and other information publicly found about you online.

By creating a website, however, you can control what they find about you online since your website will naturally be positioned above your social media profiles.

You can even take things to the next level by guest posting on relevant blogs online; by doing this, you can link back to your website and as a result influence how well it ranks for your name. At the same time, the guest posts you write will appear prominently in the search engine ranking pages thus influencing information people find about you online.

2. It Refines Your Writing

How does better writing help you get hired?

Some of the biggest CEOs, people like Jeff Bezos, have publicly said that writing is one of the factors they consider when they want to hire an employee; CEOs like Jeff believe that if a prospective employee is able to better communicate his ideas via writing, then he’ll be able to better understand what the company wants and as a result communicate and implement them effectively.

And this is true; the more you write about something, the better your understanding of it and the better you can communicate it to others. Once you’ve created your website, you can create a blog where you constantly publish your thoughts. Over time, you start to understand yourself better and you also improve with constant feedback from people who come across your website.

3. Having a Strong Online Reputation Guarantees Job Security

In every field, you can think of a number of people who have a strong online reputation and are noteworthy in everything they do; more often than not, the media is always talking about them.

Aside from the fact that these people enjoy better jobs and higher pay, they also tend to enjoy more job security than the average employee; the last thing a company will want to do is get in the public and media’s bad graces by firing the wrong person without a valid reason.

By having a website, it becomes extremely easy to become an authority in your field; occasionally, as long as your website and writing is noteworthy, the media will contact you for your opinion on important topics in your niche. By constantly contributing, your online reputation will consistently increase. This makes you a valuable asset to any company that hires you and as a result ensures your job security.

4. Having a Website Suggests you’re Technical Savvy

When it comes to making hiring decisions today, most companies pay more attention to people who are technical savvy and can effectively use latest tools and technology to get things done. This is especially important when it comes to the internet.

Having a website instantly suggests to potential employees that you’re technical savvy and can make effective use of online tools to communicate; instead of just saying that you know about technology in your resume, prospective employees can actually see that you indeed know about technology because of your website.

5. You Can Make Some Side Income

Aside from the fact that having a website helps put you in the public and ensure you get constant job offers; you can also make some side income from it.

By sharing your experience in various aspects of your life, you’re gradually building an audience and you can make money in the future by promoting affiliate products, launching your own product or displaying ads on your website.

How to Create a Website

I could write a whole article on how to create a website but, since this article is already very long, I won’t. Instead, I’ll share two self-explanatory tools that you can use to create your own website.

1. Make a Website: This is a website dedicated to helping newbies create good looking websites; even if you don’t have prior online experience, everything you need to know about creating a website as well as the right tools are provided.

2. Easy WebContent: This is a WYSIWYG website builder that helps you create drag and drop websites without any technical knowledge.

Joseph is a professional marketer and blogger that helps people start a blog.

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1. Do a thorough research on the company.

In order to avoid being fooled by scammers, you should always do a thorough research on the company you wish to be part of. Whip out your high tech gadgets, and look for the company’s website online. How professional does it look? Is there a section that indicates the establishment’s contact information? Does it provide information on jobs and careers? You should consider it a red flag if you can’t find the company’s website or if the site’s description of the company doesn’t match that of the job posting. This step could even be as simple as entering the key phrase “is X company a scam?” in the search box.  You might be surprised to discover that not only is the company a scam, but that a legitimate company with that name actually exists and warns people about the scam version.

2. Look at the job description closely.

A legitimate job posting will provide information on what the post actually entails. It will give you a good idea of what you will be doing once you are hired for the job. A scam, on the other hand, will give little or zero information on your responsibilities. Instead, it will go on and on about how great an opportunity it will be for you to work for a growing company like theirs. It might also direct you to call people as soon as possible or get you to follow link/s that will land you on a page that requires you to enter your bank or credit card details. Such things should alert you that the job might not be for real. Also, be on the lookout for ads that list federal government jobs that were “previously undisclosed.” Genuine federal jobs are always listed for public viewing.

3. Turn your attention to email ads and domain names.

If you’re getting emails from some person posing as a recruiter, you should verify if that person is actually offering you a real job or not. One way to quickly find out is to check if the recruiter’s email originates from a general email account or from a company domain. With the use of tools like DomainTools.com, you can find out if the company domain has been registered for a long time or not. You shouldn’t trust domain names that have been registered for up to just a few months or those domain names that are private, with no contact details of the employer for verification.

4. Check if fees are being collected.

Fees are red flags you shouldn’t ignore. If a company requires you to pay upfront for you to establish an account with them or for you to get a list of some sort, that company is more than likely looking for victims to fall for their scams. Remember, there’s a huge difference between having to pay upfront fees for a position and having to buy a uniform once you’re hired.

5. Assess if the offer is too good to be true.

Like they say, “if something is too good to be true, then it probably is.” If you think that what the job is offering is beyond your wildest dreams, then that should be a telltale sign for you. Jobs that promise several thousand dollars per month while you do little more than encoding or answering surveys are an example. Watch out for these kinds of offers.

Felix Tarcomnicu has been blogging about business and career topics for the last 5 years. He is currently a regular contributor on ResumeOK.com. There he provides resume templates and career advice for job seekers.

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When we first begin with these students, we have to break some of the bad habits that career counselors have bestowed upon them over the years.  While one would assume that career center heads really know their stuff, much of the information given to recent grads searching for jobs is inaccurate and sometimes harmful.

Here are 5 of those pieces of bad advice that career centers give to students:

1. Resumes don’t have to be only one page regardless of level.

There is no law that says a resume has to be one page.  In a sense, this is correct as a recent college graduate should not be presenting a 3 page resume.  However, what the career centers fail to see is that many of the students put their names in a large font, as well as their education and interest which takes up 1/2 of the Word document before they even get to the important information which, as a result must be truncated.

2. Career centers don’t grasp the fact that resumes are no longer printed out and read line by line.

Obviously, they are now read the same way this email is – on the computer screen.  90% of the recent college graduates we see don’t have bullet points, keywords, bolding, etc. to tailor the resume to someone who is quickly looking for a tidbit of information i.e. skills, not long paragraphs about their career ambitions which tell little to nothing about to what the job seeker can do for the employer.

3. The resume and cover letter should be written after the job description is read, rather than students having one or two resumes that they send out to the masses.

Each resume should have the skill sets that are asked for by the employer.  Yes, employers want leaders, they want an entrepreneurial feel, etc., but deep down, they want someone who can complete the required tasks in an autonomous and effective manner.

4. They also lack in the ability to deter students from jobs that seem alluring, pay little and are too competitive to get.

While some may try to present more career options, they don’t execute on getting through to the students. For instance, 85% of the recent college graduates whom we coach want to be in the media/PR, etc. not being told that every job in the media is not created equal and is highly dependent on the company that you work for.  We’ve seen was a single posting by Sony Entertainment for an entry-level administrative job receive 800 resumes within a week.

Al-Jazeera received over 8,000 resumes for roughly a 150 U.S. jobs they had open.

5. The college major does not hinder you from being successful or should not deter anyone from applying to a job.

Many students who are not in business are guided towards other careers when, in fact a good percentage of the most successful Americans majored in Liberal Arts.  It’s America, you can do anything you want to do and should never be apologetic about what you studied in college.

Ken Sundheim is the CEO of KAS Placement, an executive recruitment agency specializing in sales and marketing recruitment.  Learn more about Ken and KAS here: http://www.kasplacement.com or follow Ken on Twitter @ken_sundheim

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But how do you know when it’s time to brush up your curriculum vitae?

A current resume is critical when job-hunting.

Haven’t Received Much Response to Your Current Resume

If you’re actively seeking employment and not getting any response, take a hard look at your resume to see where it can be improved. Get a third party to double check your work– two sets of eyes are often better than one.

Verify your online presence to ensure there’s nothing that might turn off potential employers. Many employers check a candidate’s online reputation before deciding to make contact. Set up a Google Alert for your name, or use one of the free or paid services like Reputation.com to monitor this on a regular basis.

You Haven’t Updated Your Resume in a Couple of Years

Thoughts of resumes quickly fall by the wayside the minute anyone gets a job. However, keeping your resume updated makes job-hunting much easier the next time around. If you’re still at the same job since the last time you updated your resume, a quick touchup is probably all that is necessary. A new degree or advanced training are typical things that may need to be added.

If it’s been more than a couple of years, chances are that your resume is in need of a complete overhaul. In this case, it’s not just a matter of updating some data, but ensuring the presentation matches what employers now expect.

You’ve Changed Jobs

No job lasts forever, at least not in the 21^st century. Stuff happens, and you need to be prepared and ready to meet with hiring managers at a moment’s notice. If you’ve changed jobs, revise your resume immediately with your job title and start date. Who knows? One day you may be a candidate for a job requiring a certain amount of experience. Update this information now, and you’ll have it on hand for those who need the details. Having this precise information available also creates a better impression by proving your attention to detail.

You’ve Earned Another Degree

Whether it’s a degree, certification, or any other type of formal qualification, make sure to update your resume with the pertinent details. Work-related awards also fall into this category, because you never know how significant they may be to a potential employer.

By keeping information current, you ensure your resume accurately reflects your experience and shows why you are the right person for the job. It’s even better if you can relate how the additional training brought value to the company you worked for. Concrete examples always work best so that you don’t leave the reader guessing.

Your Contact Details Have Changed

You wouldn’t be the first person to send out their resume with old contact details. It happens! Obviously you need to bring your resume up to date when you move, but it also applies to those who have their name changed, like when they get married. Double check your online contact information as well. Things like old university email addresses or social media accounts often need to be revised or removed in their entirety.

Keep your resume updated on a regular basis, and you’ll avoid the need for an extreme makeover.

Stephen Jeske is an avid outdoor enthusiast with a passion for coffee. He frequently writes on small business, careers, and reputation management.

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1. The Growing Economy

The American economy is improving. However, 12 million Americans are still currently seeking employment. While it’s progressing at a slower rate than everyone would like, it is headed in the right direction. The financial markets are closing in on all-time highs. Recent employment data has been positive, and forecasters predict continued growth in 2013. Approximately 170,000 new jobs per month are expected, with unemployment dipping below seven percent by the end of the year.

Over the last five years, employers’ needs have changed. Due to the economic decline, employers learned that they could survive and grow with a leaner workforce. Many former positions have been eliminated, but new prospects in technology, design, and networking have created a strong demand for trained professionals. The dynamics of our economy have changed and will continue to do so in terms of developing an efficient and effective workforce.

2. Better Online Resources

In addition to a recovering economy, the wealth of online resources for job seekers is almost overwhelming. Consider today’s tools for job searching in contrast to the standards of only 20 years ago. The landscape has been revolutionized by technology. Job search engines are prevalent, as are detailed job postings on companies’ websites. While the tried-and-true classified ads are still a resource, the digital world offers you greater convenience and accessibility, and a chance to really refine your search for the perfect position for you. All of these advances work to aid your quest for new possibilities.

Finding a job is greatly assisted by — and almost requires — multiple online resources today. These resources could include LinkedIn for networking, The New York Times or similar publications for the latest employment news, and Monster.com for endless job listings. These resources are just the tip of the iceberg. Access to your future career is easier than ever before. Online tools are only improving as search engines become more efficient and sophisticated to meet your needs. If you rely on five to seven career resources, you’re likely to be in a better position to sort through the noise and find your next employer. Begin with a general search, but pare down those postings to the genuinely promising ones that address your present and future skills 

3. New Career Opportunities

Many professionals have switched careers altogether in recent years. Switching careers is a brave and bold decision, but in our post-recession workforce, it can be the right choice for many. Over 3.5 million jobs are available in today’s economy if you have the right skills and experience. To gain these skills, consider online and offline resources that can help train you for a new field. Current knowledge in technology, operating systems, and network administration is sought after in many areas.

Skillshare is a great online resource to begin exploring. Offline resources, like the Flatiron School, also offer very skill-specific training courses that can be completed in a relatively short period of time. The course to build web developer skills only takes 12 weeks and can lead to immediate employment in many locations. My own company recently hired two web developers trained at this school; one previously worked in finance, while the other was a boxer. Change can greatly benefit not only your current situation, but your future opportunities as well.

A new year offers a variety of reasons to be optimistic about job market trends. Our economy is recovering, and companies are more willing to hire than in the dark days of 2008. With greater online resources available, the job search itself has become more convenient and specific for your needs as a professional. It’s possible to search locally or nationwide with the push of a button. This impressive technology — and the changing demands from it — have changed our workforce. With an open mind about your career and the skills that could most benefit you in the future, your potential is unlimited.

Jeff Berger is the President of Digital Media at the Universum Group, the global leader in employer branding. Jeff is a thought leader in the employment industry and is also the CEO of Doostang, a community of over one million elite professionals with inside access to thousands of jobs from top employers. He welcomes anyone to reach out to him on Twitter or Google+.

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Quickly you jump to the requirements only to find that the opportunity requires specific software skills etc. you don’t have enough experience in.

This is the first job you’ve seen you got excited about but it’s going to slip right through your fingers.

What if you could paint in the mind of your employer that you don’t need those skills to succeed in the position and take away worry from their mind?

The Transfer Principle

Famous for it’s use with numbers, the Transfer Principle stresses skills used in one aspect of work can be used in another.

The key point is to frame in the manager’s mind you will be able to fulfill the obligations of the position. That’s what is keeping them up at night.

First, make sure you understand what skills they need so that you can form a bridge between what you already know and this specific skill. For example, if you’re unfamiliar with a software, look up what the program does and how you might need to use it at the position.

Pinpoint similarities in prior software you’ve used and the similar functions.

In other examples, if you need managerial experience, stretch your experience beyond a previous job. Perhaps in your personal life or even in your school days, where did you show managerial qualities? Be creative and open to finding these experiences.

Building the bridge is the first part.

The second part is clearly explaining on your previous experience can Transfer over to the position. Usually you want to have a quick story example of how you achieved this.

Back to the software example, you can tell a quick story on how quickly you were able to pick up using it or note similar tasks done in each.

Saying, “In my prior position, I worked with a similar program [name] that required many of the same functions as [required program]. I was new to that software as well but in just a couple weeks, I had already picked it up and actually started training a new employee on it in that short span.”

For more generic descriptions, such as the managerial example, you want to give a specific example on when you demonstrated those qualities. There, you need to paint the conflict clearly and show exactly how you solved it. Then you can follow-up with:

“I’m certain I can bring those same skills I demonstrated to this position and am excited for the challenge.”

You just did two things:

• You calmly removed any doubt as you successfully framed in their mind you already have the required skills even if it’s not directly related to the position.

• Got at the meat of the manager’s worry, “Will I have to babysit this person in this position?” Most of the time they aren’t worried if you are lacking in some areas, that’s why they train you. They worry they will need to hold your hand throughout the growing pains.

The Transfer Principle sounds simple and it’s fairly easy to implement. Figure out early which skills they are most looking for and build the Transfer Principle around those. Take prior experience and skills and find a bridge between that which you don’t have experience. Exploit all the similarities and successes you had to remove any doubt and make you the candidate of choice.

Have you used this Principle before whether you knew so or not? Tell us below!

Joe Cassandra, a personal brand equity strategist, is the Founder of the 7Minute Entrepreneur, where he shows you how to change your mindset and personal brand today from passive “employee” to thriving “entrepreneur” in your early career. You can follow him on Twitter.

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The thing is, these days employers are looking at much more than your résumé and your references. They are doing Google searches on you and eyeing your Facebook page to find whatever they can before taking you on. So not only can they find out the good stuff, but maybe something you’d rather them not know.

The bottom line is that your online reputation can say a whole lot about you, including your work ethic. What can you do to keep it clean?

Watch Your Social Media Posts

One of the first places your prospective employer may look is your Facebook page. Yikes! Do you want them seeing everything you’ve posted there? If not, clean it up. And for future reference, watch what you say. Remember, once it’s out there, it’s out there. So if you need to take a day off to find a great new outfit for a date or you needed to go in late to recoup from your late night before, you don’t need to post about it. That’s not going to demonstrate a great work ethic.

The flip side, though, can work to your benefit. If you’ve stayed up late perfecting your latest project or helped a buddy at work finish his part, post about that. There’s no reason not to shine when you can.

If you have a blog, don’t post about how often you switch jobs or that you hate your current one. Speak professionally about yourself, and when anyone does a search on you, they will be impressed with your strong work ethic.

Remember your tweets and other social posts, and use the same good judgment. They can say much more about you than those concrete 140 characters.

Keep an Eye on Anything Else Online About Yourself

You may not be the only one writing about yourself online. Maybe you made someone mad in the office (whether personally or professionally) and they’ve decided to get back at you for it. Anyone can write/post/publish online, and it’s up to you to see it before a prospective employer does. It can be harmful to your work ethic when you didn’t even do anything.

The best thing is to know everything out there and be able to address it if it does come up. Have an answer, an explanation, and a resolution at the ready.

What Else Can You Do for a Reputation that Speaks Highly of Your Work Ethic?

You can watch your own posts and watch what others say about you. Remember, employers will look, and not only into your professional life, but also into your personal.  So don’t be afraid to show what your work ethic is like. If it’s gotten out of hand online and you don’t feel comfortable fixing it, you can always hire an online reputation management company to help out. Remember, you do need to know what is out there.

You’ve worked hard in your professional life and you want your online reputation to convey that strong work ethic to your prospective employers. Don’t take a chance and mess it up!

Heather Legg is a freelance writer who writes on a plethora of topics and has spent time writing resumes for a variety of fields, as well as dabbling in fiction. She lives in Atlanta, and you can find her on Twitter @writeygirl.

Image Credit: Shutterstock.com 

All factors that have left too many 20-somethings struggling to find a job. With employment rates for young adults reaching historic lows, it’s easy for even the most ambitious among us to get discouraged.

But take heart, there are simple, common sense steps you can take to separate yourself from the pack.

1. Network

You’ve probably heard this advice before. That’s because it works.

Up to 80% of jobs are never advertised, so you definitely don’t want to be spending most of your time responding to jobs you found on Craigslist. If anything, look on LinkedIn for jobs posted by a close connection.

How do you network effectively? First, tell everyone you know that you’re looking. Friends, family, acquaintances, strangers on the street.  Shout it from the mountain tops.

Use your alumni network, if you have one. Reach out to people in your industry (hint: ask for career advice, not a job).  You want to be a personal referral, not one more faceless resume in a stack of hundreds.

2. Personalize Your Resume

Rewrite your resume for every application.

Your resume should suit the position you’re applying for. Move away from the idea of having one static resume. Instead, you want to fine-tune and rearrange your CV for every application. Emphasize experience that’s relevant to that particular job, and get rid of anything that’s not. Highlight the skills and experience mentioned in the job listing. Yes, it’s hard work, but it pays off (literally).

3. Always Follow Up

After an application, an interview, and even a rejection, be sure to send a polite and professional follow-up.

I got my first job out of college by following up. I went through several interviews, only to be told the company decided to go with someone more experienced. A couple weeks later, almost on a whim, I sent a formal email thanking them for their time and consideration. As it turned out they were unhappy with who they hired. I started the very next day.

4. Track Your Applications

When you’re submitting several applications a week, it’s easy to lose track. This makes following up difficult and hurts your chances of landing a job.

Stay organized by keeping an on-going list of your applications in a Google spreadsheet. Include fields like company name, position, date of application, date of response, etc. Keeping all this info in spot makes follow-ups a breeze, and keeping it on Google means you can access it everywhere.

5. Concise Cover Letters

Don’t discount the cover letter, it’s your chance to make a personal impression. Instead of regurgitating your resume, say something new. Using your own voice, describe what you’ll bring to the company.

Be careful not to prattle on for too long. A cover letter should be short, to the point, and convey a sense of your personality and attitude.

6. Prep for Interviews

Never go into an interview without putting in some serious prep time.

Research the company, find their mission statement, and read everything you can get your hands on. It’s also a good idea to look up common interview questions and rehearse your answers beforehand. No one wants to be left stammering when asked, “So, tell me about yourself.”

7. Ask Questions

At the end of most interviews, you’ll get a chance to turn the tables and ask any questions. Don’t miss this opportunity to impress.

Asking intelligent questions can show how engaged and forward-thinking you are. Consider asking about your first assignment or the inner-workings of the company. You can even ask for a frank assessment of yourself, it’ll give you a chance to clear up any confusion and receive valuable feedback.

8. Clean Up Your Facebook

As a 20-something, you’re a digital native, Facebook and Twitter is how you talk to your friends. Watch out, though. You’re also talking to your potential employers.

Drunk photos, skimpy outfits, excessive profanity, aggressive comments on politics or religion: all things you should lock down while applying to jobs. Check your privacy settings, untag inappropriate pictures, and clean out anything you don’t want an employer to see. You may also want to create a professional account on Facebook or Twitter to keep your personal and professional lives separate.

9. Be Humble, But Hungry

Don’t lie about your qualifications. Be honest and open about your experience; as a 20-something, no one expects you to know it all.

What’s more important is your attitude. Be hungry, ambitious, and determined. Many employers aren’t looking for a seasoned worker who’s set in their ways, they want an eager young mind that they can train to their liking. You don’t have to know it all, but you do have to be ready to learn.

10. Get Serious

Last, but not least, you need to get serious. Too many 20-somethings are ready to blame the economy and give up the job hunt.

If you don’t have a job, treat job-hunting as your job. Put in eight-hour days applying, networking, and researching. Yes, times are tough, but that means you need to be more proactive, not less.

At times, you may feel hopeless. You may want to give up. Just remember the strength, perseverance, and willpower you develop while getting a job will serve you well throughout your career.

Gene Sigalov is a SimpleTexting co-founder and leader in the mobile marketing industry. SimpleTexting.com is an easy-to-use platform that enables businesses to send customized SMS marketing campaigns directly to their customers. Follow SimpleTexting on Twitter at @SimpleTexting, like them on Facebook, and read the latest in mobile marketing news on their blog.

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