8 Tacky Job Search Faux Pas
Get some class!
There are good, bad and straight-up ugly ways to job search. The last route involves zero tact or self-awareness, and it often rubs both current and prospective employers the wrong way. Job seek with some grace. U.S. News asked career and etiquette experts to reveal tremendously tacky job search faux pas, so you know what not to do.
Dressing to the nines on interview day
If your current office has a casual dress code, then yes, your boss will notice when you show up in a full suit and polished shoes. This is an obvious (and tacky) sign that you're interviewing elsewhere, says Alexandra Levit, author of "Blind Spots: 10 Business Myths You Can't Afford to Believe on Your New Path to Success." "You only want your current company to know you're looking once you have an offer in hand that you've accepted," she says. If you must leave work for an hour or so to interview, change into your formal clothes after you've left the office, Levit adds.
Having an unprofessional online image
Sharing a video on Twitter that's riddled with profanity? Posting drunken snapshots on Instagram? Think twice, says Jaime Klein, founder and president of Inspire Human Resources, a New York-based consulting firm. "Be particularly mindful of your brand and avoid oversharing" on social media, she says, pointing out that you'll likely be Google-searched before the interview. "The world is small, and few things can be deleted completely," she says. "A good rule of thumb to ensure a professional image: If you would think twice about your own parents seeing it, do not share it."
Being a little too honest with your boss
Hallie Crawford, certified career coach and founder of HallieCrawford.com, tells the tale of a client who told his boss (in a moment of frustration) that he was looking for jobs elsewhere, thinking the company would keep him around. He was fired the next day. "Sometimes we think complete honesty is the best policy," Crawford says. "While that's altruistic, it's not always in our best interest." Crawford stresses the importance of having another job offer in writing before giving notice of your resignation.
Calling (and calling and calling) to check in after an interview
Of course you're eager for an update, but constantly peppering your interviewers with emails and phone calls will get old for them -- fast. "Believe me, if they like you and want to follow up, they'll let you know." Levit says. "Emailing once to inquire about the status one to two weeks after the interview is perfectly acceptable, but anything else could be perceived as annoying and may actually move you down the consideration list."
Listing bad references
Your references should be familiar with your work ethic and skill set, says Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert. "You may be a great candidate, but when you give a potential employer the names and numbers of your friend or a co-worker -- rather than a supervisor -- it sends the message you have something to hide." she says. If you're applying to your first job, she suggests listing a professor, mentor, religious leader or a trusted family friend rather than a roommate or significant other. And be sure you're giving up-to-date contact information, she adds.
Sending goodies to your prospective team
Maybe your heart is in the right place. While interviewing, you hit it off with the team and want to follow up by sending cookies or fruit to build rapport. However, Levit says, "Any kind of gifting from candidates is usually frowned upon, so don't risk it." A better way to follow up? "Send handwritten thank-you cards to each person you met," she says.
Job searching and interviewing on company time -- and lying about it
If you have an interview during the workday, don't make up phony stories about doctor appointments to get out of the office. "The most credible way to interview for a job is to take personal time or request time off early or later in the afternoon, offering to make the time up the next day," Gottsman says. Job searching on company time is inappropriate, she adds. "Make calls and appointments on your personal time, at lunch or on a break and on your cellphone."
Tweeting about your interview
Crawford says prospective employers will likely research you online and "can probably find more than you would like them to." Therefore, discussing your interview on social media -- even if the meeting went well -- is a no-no. "Posting about interviews will make it look like you can't keep things to yourself or maintain confidentiality and that you don't understand how to behave professionally," she says.
Laura McMullen is the Careers editor at U.S. News and was previously a Health + Wellness reporter. You can follow her on Twitter, connect with her on LinkedIn, circle her on Google+ or email her at lmcmullen@usnews.com.
