Jul 6th, 2007
Your MySpace profile will not get you hired!
So it is now well documented that your MySpace profile can get you fired, but now it seems that some unprofessional slack-jawed short-bus riders are beginning to think that it is an acceptable way to apply for a job.
I have been in a hiring position for the last 5 years and it never ceases to amaze me what I get when people are applying for graphic design and web development jobs (this could be a whole series of posts), but recently I have noticed a rather disconcerting trend.
People are submitting MySpace profiles to show their design work.
In the last 2 weeks, I have had at least 2 people send messages to my MySpace profile about a job posting my company has in the real world. They and others who have replied through Monster or Craigslist have also submitted a MySpace profile as a resume/portfolio.
This means that between keg-stands and bong hits, some sad bastard thought to himself, “That douchebag shift manager at Blockbuster just don’t realize how awesome I am. I got mad d-zine skillz. My MySpace profile is so sweet and pimped out it’s sure to land me a job! Let me send it to that place that is looking for professional graphic designers and web developers.”
And of course, there is always some piece of “design work” using a lens-flare. Classy.
What is kind of creeping me out about the whole thing is that it means these job-seekers/stalkers-in-training must have seen the posting elsewhere, went to my company’s website, saw my bio (and ignored my email address there), looked me up on MySpace and then decided to send me a message that way. Instead of just freakin’ inquiring from the legitimate posting in the first place.
Just because you may have learned about a job on MySpace, doesn’t mean you should apply that way.
If this is you and you are reading this, congratulations - you are probably still unemployed.
P.S. - Don’t even think about listing “Tom” as a personal reference.
