Interviewing? Leave your friends/family/co-workers in the car.

I promise they will forgive you.

I wish I could go on interviews with our candidates so I could meet them outside the client’s building and collect all of their electronic devices before they step into the building. Even if your network is relatively drama-free, I can’t describe the incredible impact such small devices can have on your success.

Use all available technology to land yourself an interview, but don’t take it with you into the building. That’s right. Don’t even take your smartphone out of the car. No matter how discreet you are about checking it while you’re waiting in the lobby or (even worse) in a conference room for your interviewer, it makes you look distracted at best and at worst it makes you look like you have somewhere more important to be. LEAVE IT IN THE CAR. If it’s a half-day or full-day interview, it’s likely they’ll give you a few breaks and you can walk out to your car to check for any new messages.

Leaving devices in the car makes a positive impression with your potential employer that you are attentive, but it also allows you to focus on the interview, instead of worrying about what’s happening back at the office or with friends, family. Job-seekers (and recruiters) are working hard to get to that interview stage these days, so grant yourself the time to focus your attention entirely on interviewing. You’ve worked hard for it!

What are your online profiles telling potential employers?

If you’re job searching, you’ve learned that it’s a much different process these days than it was even just three years ago. One of the major changes is that your online presence may have a significant impact on your ability to find and be selected for a job. Applicants are adding websites like LinkedIn and Facebook to their resumes, so some employers proactively check these sites to learn more about their potential candidates – even if you didn’t include them on YOUR resume. What are your online profiles saying about you as a potential employee?

Here are a few REALLY important things to keep in mind when reviewing your online profiles and preparing for a job search:

1. Watch your language. Don’t use foul language or speak negatively about former employers/employees/bosses. Assume that anything you post online is public information and could be seen by anyone. If you wouldn’t say it out-loud to the person you respect the most or a future employer, don’t say it online. Think about how what you say might be interpreted by a future boss – does it make it sound like you are late or miss work frequently? Or do you sound like you enjoy being successful?

2. Monitor your profiles. Consider removing the option for your Facebook friends to post messages on your Wall. They can still send you private emails and/or leave comments on your posts. This is especially handy if you have a Facebook friend who tends to leave a little more info than really needs to be widely known. Otherwise, monitor your profiles frequently and quickly delete any comments or notes which are inappropriate for public viewing.

3. Consider your audience. Use various social media sites appropriately, based on the most likely audience. Keep your LinkedIn profile strictly professional. It’s not necessary to post your birthday and special interests on that site. Facebook and Twitter are better places to discuss that new fiction book you’re reading or what you’re doing in your spare time that isn’t work-related.

I’m not encouraging people to hide who they really are from employers. Online profiles are a great place to showcase your unique qualities and interests, but consider how future employers may perceive your information. These profiles are an extension of who you are and they may “meet” a future employer before you do!