How To Blow Your Interview: Just 6 Little Letters
Editor’s Note: It’s my pleasure to introduce you all to our newest team member at Balanced WorkLife, Michelle Agner. She will be helping me with Marketing and the Blog, so expect to see more of her. Enjoy! – Bryce
Hi, I’m new here. Nice to meet you!
A few weeks back, Bryce indicated that he was seeking some assistance with the growing online community we have at Balanced WorkLife.
His Many Hats Matrix appealed to my marketing interests and it revealed the possibility that perhaps I really could contribute to a team and remain balanced enough to be mentally present when I was away from work.
You see, I have a history of getting consumed by work. But that’s another story.
So I submitted my resume. Little did I expect what happened next:
I got an interview!
Research, research, research
In prep for our meeting, I began researching. Who was this company? Who do they serve? How does their blog tie in with their products and services? Where did the company founders come from? What do they specialize in? Who’s this Bryce guy and what can I learn from him?
You know the drill. I prepared. Thanks, Google!
And then…..
I got Googled!
At the interview, Bryce said, “I really enjoyed that video from your last job.”
Huh?
“The one on YouTube,” he said, “When your old boss and team were saying goodbye and encouraging your clients to wish you well. That was great.”
Uh, yeah, that was great. That’s still up there?!
My mind immediately jumped to all those articles, news stories and blog posts out there that talk about carefully managing your online presence. For just such an occasion.
Having been out of the workforce for a while, all those warnings had faded into the background. But at that moment in my interview, they were front and center. I suddenly had a few concerns.
What else is out there? Did I do my privacy settings properly? Did my sister un-tag that especially unattractive picture? Did last month’s Happy Hour result in any photos being posted?! Did my snarky intolerance of other people’s kids show up on Twitter? Aaaack!
Fortunately, my online presence is appropriately professional – you might even say boring – and I was offered the job.
Whew!
So again, nice to meet you! I look forward to learning more about the growing community here and what your specialties and interests are.
Have you ever been caught unaware when you got Googled? Do tell!
About the Author: The newest team member at Balanced WorkLife, Michelle Agner successfully combined her process-focused engineering background with her marketing interests, even when all the creatives on her team laughed at the campaign flow diagrams she constantly drew. That same team also beat the corporate jargon and grammar snob out of her so that her writing no longer put them to sleep. She’s thankful for their tough love, and hopes you are, too.
Image courtesy of Stefan.
You are so right. People seem to forget they too can be Googled. It’s important to cognizant of what you put out there!
knikkolette recently posted..Social Media Engagement Tools: Part 2
Hi Knikkolette! Yep, I felt like quite the dunce. Valuable lesson with minimal damage to report. : )
Hi Michelle,
I know, I often wonder what kind of comments that I left online when I was new to blogging. Oh well, I am who I am. Good to see you here at BWL.
Justin Mazza recently posted..Having Integrity – Mutual Respect – and my Aflac Experience
Thanks for the kind welcome, Justin. I enjoyed your Aflac story!
Hey Michelle,
Nice having you here!
I loved your beginning post… you arrive with a bang… and a little bit of Google (should I google you now…
)
I don’t know whether people often Google me but there was this instance when I went for a job interview and though I didn’t mention anything about m blog, people were asking me so many questions about the social media and all that jazz. Seems like they did a lot of clicking on my blog. Though I did get the job, people at work focused on my skills as a blogger (I have a personal blog) than my skills at work. Not so harmful but a little frustrating when your abilities at work go unnoticed because they feel “you write better”….
Before I go into interviews, I do Google myself to make sure; it’s all clean
Hajra recently posted..Will they call you over for a bloggers party?
Hi Hajra! Someone once told me that the definition of an expert is someone who knows a bit more about something than you do….sounds like your interviewers felt the same way re your social media and blogging knowledge. Thanks for the compliment – glad to be here!
Great to meet you, Michelle!
I Google myself from time to time to monitor my search results and fortunately my professional blogging presence fills the first 3+ pages of the search results- whew!
I’m sure there remain a few less mindful comments and photos out there on the web somewhere, and hopefully anyone willing to dig that deep is also willing to overlook a minor transgression back in the day.
I also have a Google alert set up to let me know when people search on my name. I don’t know who is searching for me, but at least I’m informed when I’m on someone’s radar.
Cleaning up your web presence is a great reminder for us all! And if you’re truly worried about past discretions, start blogging under your professional name and any embarrassing history will be buried deep in the search results!
Chrysta
Chrysta Bairre recently posted..Have a Little Patience
Thanks for the tips, Chrysta. Will add myself to my Google Alerts.
Nice to read this post. Thank you Michelle. Also thanks to the comment of Chrysta. I have a doubt now. May I quote her. “I also have a Google alert set up to let me know when people search on my name. I don’t know who is searching for me, but at least I’m informed when I’m on someone’s radar.”
How do I set up my google alert to know when people search on me?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Hi Karthika, Google Alerts doesn’t tell you *when* someone is searching on you, but it’ll show you when something about you is published. If you haven’t already set this up for yourself, check out http://www.google.com/alerts. Thanks for your comment!
It is not an unusual thing, I think it is better the usual way. Every time I was at an interview I was googled, and it doesn’t depend on if it was a big company or a small office, the HR managers and assistants always check the patients’ facebook/G+ pages and they always google for them. I think, I would do so, too if I was at their place.
Catwoman recently posted..fogfehérítés
Yes, with as easy as it is to check out a candidate online, regardless of company size/resources, I should have known better! Lesson learned.
Hi Michelle,
It is nice to meet you. Good job on doing your research before the interview. And Bryce same goes with you.
It is kind of scary how much we can find out about others from Google now days. If you are having a bad day the standard rule is don’t do your social media. LOL
Just joking, anyway glad to have you around and now I shall go Google me and see if have any OOPS!!!! out there.
Thanks for reminding me to check.Blessing always,
Debbie
Debbie @ Happy Maker recently posted..What You Can Do To Be Happy Right Now In Your Relationship
Thanks for the welcome, Debbie!
You should expect more job-specific questions on this interview and how you would handle certain situations in the work place.
Cynthia recently posted..Colon Cleanser Advice
They certainly covered those questions, and, fortunately, I was prepared. Whew. Thanks for the comment, Cynthia!
Hi Michelle, Welcome to BWL! Excellent point, I hadn’t Googled myself in a while. I discovered there are hundreds of women named Carolyn Mohr in the US. It made me very happy I use my middle name in addition to my first and last names on my blog.
Your article is great advice for those who post online. You never know whether your online presence will come back to haunt you if you post rants or inappropriate material.
Thanks for the reminder, Michelle!
Nice to meet you, Carolyn! At times I wish for a more common surname so I don’t have to spell it for everyone, but in this case, I guess it’s a good thing. Thanks for the note.
Michelle,
What a way to start a new job. I guess that is how it is done these days. I’m a little scared.
I was filling out an application for a small grocery store just the other day. Just a part time job to get some extra cash. As I was filling it out I wondered if they would Google me. This thought only popped into my mind because I read about it all the time online.
I have a feeling they won’t, it isn’t a high profile job. But if I were going for a bigger position I would Google myself and be sure I am “clean” Lol.
~Allie
Allie recently posted..Blogging Success: Failure Is Success
Good luck with your hunt, Allie. Should be interesting to see if a part-time grocery position results in an online review. Thanks for commenting.
A very timely post, thank you! I am in the process of job searching now – you reminded me to go Google myself. Luckily, my profile privacy settings are working properly, and what is published is professional.
Thanks again!
Glad to hear it, Jodi. I like it when my bumbles help others.
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