[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

You’ve recently graduated, congrats! You’ve been living for the past four years in a furnished dorm or a sorority house with all your friends or maybe even an off-campus house you had all to yourself with your best friends in the world! Maybe your parents paid? Maybe your loans paid? Or maybe you were able to pay from your awesome internship the summer leading up? Whatever the case, you had a place to live — even when there were dishes piling so high you had to wash them in the tub or you had so much laundry you thought about buying new underwear before attempting to wash it all – you had it made!

I’m two years out of college (Lehigh ’09) and have lived in four different cities since I graduated, but that’s not all, I’ve moved 12 times since I packed up my geo prism and hugged my college friends goodbye and headed home to upstate NY. I’ve not only lived in upstate NY these past two years, but also in London, Washington, DC and New York City. I’m actually lucky – each time I took one of these journeys it was for an amazing opportunity and job, a move that ultimately landed me in New York City with an awesome gig working in social media at an education start-up!

Okay, so you’re thinking – how did you manage to do this? And how are you affording to live in one the most expensive cities in the world? Here’s the answer – trust your gut, let people help you and follow your heart.

Each city I moved to, I spent about 5 months getting settled, staying with friends, crashing with family members – I did whatever I had to do to accept a great internship or job – I never said no to an opportunity. I slept on couches, mattresses on the floor, pull-out beds, and my favorite – sharing a bed with my best friend in a one bedroom apartment in Manhattan for three months. What I would have given to have my pile of laundry back and my stacked dishes – and a bed of my own.

Keep in touch with your friends from home, call your friends from college (even if you’re so busy it’s absurd), and call your quirky family members to catch up. Everyone wants to see you succeed and is always willing to open up their lives to help you live yours.

After about four moves around Manhattan, I’m finally home — the Upper West Side. A ONE YEAR LEASE! Box up the clothes you never wear and donate them to charity, follow your dreams, and cherish your relationships – you may live on a couch for a while, but hey, a couch at your best friends isn’t so bad after all!

–

Sarah Fudin currently works in community relations for the University of Southern California’s Masters in Education Online program which prepares teachers on how to become a teacher in their respective state. Outside of work Sarah enjoys running, reading and Pinkberry frozen yogurt. Follow her on twitter @sarahfudin.

Do you have advice for recent grads? Real life advice and stories that you wish someone had told you. Submit your idea to editor (at) collegecandy (dot) com

[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

Choosing a roommate in college was easy. Your best friend, duh. But choosing your real world roommate gets a little trickier. Why? Because you’re an adult now and you need a roommate who acts like an adult. And sometimes, your very best friend doesn’t always act like one– and there’s more than your sleep and study space at stake now, it’s important things like your credit.

So how do you choose a good roommate and start off your grown up living situation on the right foot? Follow these guidelines and you’ll be living fight-free!

1. Discuss Money: Not to say money isn’t an issue in college, but it’s definitely not as much of an issue. There was one “nice” restaurant near my college campus and that meant the meals were $11 total. But in NYC, where I currently live, meals can range from $1 to $1000. Suddenly  money means a lot more and you need to discuss what you’re comfortable spending with your roommate. Give your roommate an idea of how much you’re making. Chances are that if she makes more, she’ll be comfortable spending more on things like rent, shared groceries, apartment cleaning, cable plans etc. Let her know off the bat how much you are willing to spend each month on the basics. Maybe you should buy your own groceries. Perhaps you should pro-rate the bedrooms depending on size. There are lots of options for living  on varied salaries within the same apartment, but if you don’t discuss it beforehand, things can get awkward. No it’s not a fun conversation, but it’s much better to have it before you start fighting over buying organic peanut butter.

2. Find someone responsible: Because there’s nothing worse than having to remind your roommate again and again to pay the rent every month. Or to set up the cable appointment. Or not to spend her paycheck on clothes. You want to live with someone who handles their money like an adult. And I’ll tell you why. Your rent is constantly late? That’s your credit. Electric bill in your name and it’s way overdue? Your credit.  This stuff follows you for the rest of your life and you don’t want to let it slide. It sucks, but it’s the truth.

3. Drop the school year mentality: Bad roommate in college? No worries, it was only for 9 months and you had a few big breaks during the school year. But in the real world, leases are not only for a year, but you tend to stay in one place longer. Moving is expensive and there’s a strong chance you’re not going to want to move each year. Oh, and unlike college, your lease cycle is most likely going to be different than your other friends. So you can’t switch up roommates that easily. This is why I emphasize the importance of thinking long and hard about your roommate choice. Do you want to see this person everyday for two years? If you already get annoyed with one of her quirks, then wait until you see her every single day after you come home from a long day at the office. Choose someone who you think will want to live with long term.

Follow these simple guidelines and I can almost promise things are going to go smoothly. I’m speaking from my own experience…the kind where I didn’t follow this advice and I ended up living with someone who constantly is late on rent, eats my food and calls me stingy when I won’t spring for the pricey toilet paper.

[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

Life in college was pretty carefree. For the most part your friends were happy and full of laughter and smiles and funny stories. Sure there were always those times when you had to console a friends  over a break-up or you had to rub another friend’s back when she failed out of orgo and realized she’ll never be a doctor. But those were minor setbacks.

Then you graduate and everyone’s mood takes a turn for the worse. You’re jealous of that friend who got a job before you (I mean, c’mon, you had 19 internships, and she spent her summers at the beach) and you’re angry about living at home,  and you’re lonely because all your friends are miles away. Relatives and strangers remind you everyday that the economy sucks and you start reading the news and you realize we’re at war with 19 countries and that people are trying to outlaw abortion.  And you get this feeling of overwhelming depression. Like, wow, life sucks.

The worst part is that you’re not the only one in this downward spiral of sadness. All your friends are too. Everyone is lonely and depressed and confused and upset. Gchat convos that used to be about Glee and sexting do’s and don’ts are suddenly about rejected resumes and big life questions.  Everyone’s depression feeds off each other and before you know it, your once fun group of galpals is like a support group for angry people.

But here’s what you need to know and here’s what I wish someone told me.

You’re not alone! You’re only 22! Everyone is going through this exact same thing right now. I promise you. Even that girl who got the job before she graduated. Everyone is full of questions and concerns and doubts and yes, negative feelings. It’s okay not  to know. It’s okay to spend the summer on the couch watching reality TV. You have your whole life to find the answers and you have your whole life to get up at 7:00 am to go to work everyday.

It’s okay to have fun and enjoy life and smile.  It’s okay to be scared about what’s next and it’s okay to share your fears with family and friends. Ignore the people who harass you about finding a job and keep in touch with the people who make you happy. Vent with your friends, but also laugh with them. Don’t let yourself spend hours feeling sorry for yourself. Spend hours making yourself happy.

And know that a year from now, you’ll have a job. You’ll be okay. And you still won’t have all the answers.

[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

So we’ve covered a lot of Real World bases in this column. From what to wear on an interview, to how to search for a job…even what to expect socially in the workplace. But one thing I’ve noticed in reading through all of your comments is that you guys want a little help navigating the really tough scenarios. A rude interviewer, the “no wrong answer” questions (hint: there is a wrong answer), proper etiquette for group interviews…your basic iffy and unexpected situations.

How Rude!
So you walk into an interview all smiles and positive thoughts, when suddenly you’re confronted with the coldest, most non-feeling person in the world. And they’re the one who’s going to be asking the questions. Lucky you.

You try to act breezy and light, they stare you down and create awkward silences. You straight-talk your accomplishments and strengths, they’re unimpressed. You ask intelligent questions about the company and the position, they cut you off before you can finish.

What’s the smartest approach when confronted with a major grump? Realize it’s most likely their problem, not a personal grudge against you. I would bet money that either a) they have their eye on another candidate and are frustrated that a higher-up is still insisting on continuing the search; b) it wasn’t their job to interview you, but they were forced into the situation; or c) simply put- they’re having a bad day.

Now, none of those reasons justify someone being rude to you, but it does help you handle the situation. Continue answering questions and talking about your accomplishments respectfully and confidently…and don’t forget to send a thank you note!

This…is…not…what I…expected.
I once went on an interview to write at a reputable entertainment website and found myself at a sketchy apartment in the middle of Brooklyn. The “editor” of the site was not quite the guy he painted himself to be- it wasn’t even his apartment, he was…uh…temporarily homeless. After two rigorous and bizarre hours of talking (anyone got tips on how to politely tell your interviewer to shut up!?), he offered me the position to come join his “team”. Uhhh…

When something doesn’t turn out exactly as you envisioned it, take a moment to weigh the pros and cons. It’s easy to get guilted into accepting a position you don’t want, or to say no too quickly to one you might unexpectedly enjoy.

In my case, I decided to politely decline the offer. But trust it wasn’t without some serious consideration. (Okay, fine. So “consideration” translates to making fun of the weirdness with my friends over a venti Starbucks and still thinking WTF days after. Don’t be like me!!)

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
The ultimate open-ended question, you will be heavily judged on your answer. Potential employers don’t want to hear about your dream of owning a house in the ‘burbs, bowing out of your career by age 30 to play housewife and popping out cute kids.

Here’s the almost foolproof phrase I’ve memorized: At this point in my life, I’d love to join a company that offers opportunity for career growth. Hopefully in 10 years I can be part of a team that has watched me develop professionally, one that understands my strengths and can help me position myself and my coworkers for success.

The concepts of “career growth” and “career paths” within the same company are way popular. It’s less work for employers if they think you’re going to be sticking with them for the long haul. Think of yourself as a long-term investment.

Over-qualification, my ass.
Chances are most of you have been there, even as brand spankin’ new grads applying for entry-level positions. Somehow you’re overqualified. Yeah, between working part-time at Ann Taylor and interning for your town paper you’ve acquired too many skills to perform 80% of the jobs you apply for.

When you find yourself trying to convince someone you’re not as qualified as they think (trust me, it’ll happen)- stop. Take a different approach. Talk about how you’re confident the position will provide fresh challenges. Mention how you’ve worked in similar positions before and proven yourself an asset to different companies. Give examples.

Bitch, they didn’t ask you!
Oh, the group interview. How I hate thee. Is there a more awkward situation anywhere in life? Actually, don’t answer that. But the group interview still ranks pretty high up there!

Often times you’re asked a question and someone else’s cutting you off to give their unsolicited answer. Puh-lease! While it’s easy to curse under your breath at the absolute lack of manners in the room, remember it’s an interview and therefore it’s every man for him/herself.

Be patient and you’ll get your chance for classy payback. If you see an opportunity to add on to another candidate’s answer, wait for them to finish, then politely ask if you may speak about one of your own related experiences. Speak clearly and keep your comment concise. You’ll be heard and won’t have people annoyed at your for hijacking the spotlight with longwinded stories.

[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

When I sat in the back row of my college lecture classes, wearing sweats and a free homecoming t-shirt, I day dreamed abotu office life. How I would waltz into the office in the latest J.Crew line, exchange pleasantries with my co-workers, and eat lunch with a charming male co-worker who plays footsie with me at company meetings.

And then I got a job that popped my J.Crew bubble.

Real office life is nothing like I imagined — and the more I spoke with all my other newly-employed friends, I realized that office life wasn’t matching up to anyone’s expectations.  Remember that bitchy girl in middle school who always gave you fake compliments then made fun of you behind your back? Yeah, she works in accounting. Remember that trying-too-hard-to-be-funny freshman in your anthro class? Yep, he’s at the desk next to you. And your freshman year roommate who way overshared the most intimate things? She’s still oversharing, except now she’s doing it loudly on her cellphone when the office is completely silent.

Just because people graduate and accept real jobs and talk about big things like 401ks and dental benefits, doesn’t mean they suddently mature. Mean girls are still mean girls. Bullies are still bullies, and smelly people are still not getting the showering memo. Except unlike in high school, when you could just avoid these people, you’re spending all day in the office with them. That’s 8-10 hours, with the same people, 5 days a week. Forget sultry office romances, you’re lucky if you can get through the week without tearing you cubemate’s face off.

I’m constantly shocked by the horror stories I hear from other friends.

“My boss told me to cover for her today because she’s going on vacation I day early. I’m supposed to tell everyone she’s at a funeral.”

“Um, so my co-worker was teaching me how to file expense reports, and he recommended I up the numbers a little bit.”

“My boss made me work late everyday this week to work on a project. While I slaved alone in an empty office, she went out to dinner with clients. Then she presented MY PROJECT as her own, got tons of compliments, and gave me no credit.”

So yeah, office life is just like real life. And while I wish I had wise words of wisdom to help guide you through it, I got nothing. I just wish someone had given me the memo before I experienced the wrath of office gossip first hand. You thought high school gossip was bad? Just wait for office gossip.

[Life after college is hard. Like really hard. But it's not so hard that you should curl up in a ball and watch E! marathons all day long. Not only are we covering the experience from a first-hand perspective, but we're now covering it from a how-to-survive-it perspective. Every week, we're going to bringing the best advice to getting through your first post-grad year. Because sometimes, your grandmother's "just go to law school" advice just doesn't cut it.]

Ladies, let’s be real: finding a job is tough stuff. Before you get to sending those resumes out, before you worry about which job-related websites to start checking religiously, make sure you’ve got your basics covered. After all, what’s that they say about a good foundation being the key to a solid…something or other? It’s not just a nice platitude that encourages you to order an extra basket of nachos before a night of heavy drinking. This common sense can also be applied to…wait for it…matters of the Real World.

So what, you ask, are the key ingredients to kick of a successful job hunt? As someone who has been in and out of job interviews at the same rate that LiLo checks in and out of rehab, trust me when I say preparation is everything. And to ensure that you are prepped like none other, I present to you the ultimate job search checklist:

The Outfit
You want to come off confident and capable, but not overtly sexy or worse — dowdy. Try not to over think this one, as you might easily find yourself standing naked in front of your closet, tossing outfit after outfit on the floor. Remember it’s best to stick to the timeless elements of a successful casual-but-not-too-casual/dressy-but-not-too-dressy ensemble.

Grab some well-fitting black pants (nothing wide-leg, nothing wool, nothing pinstripe) like these hip-yet-professional skinny pants from The Gap, pair them with a bright silky top, toss a cardigan on top and add in an edited selection of accessories. Easy as pie! And don’t be afraid to drop a little extra cash on your interview look– you’ll get plenty of wear of out it, and you can later translate the various pieces into different office-ready outfits when the time comes. (For more in-depth advice, check out which color is best to wear at an interview)

The Bag
It’s not so much what bag you choose to bring with you on your interview that matters, as what you’ve got stashed inside. First and foremost, bring extra copies of your resume. You never know whom all you’ll be speaking with and if they’ve got your credentials committed to memory.

And speaking of speaking, pack a bottle of water. Most interviewers will offer you something to drink, but if they don’t, it’s best to enter prepared. You’ll be doing a lot of the talking, so having some H2O at the ready will sidestep those awkward, thirsty tongue-tied moments.

Finally, always have a pen and some paper. Even if you don’t use it, employers will be impressed that you thought ahead and attempted to keep your thoughts organized.

The Mindset
I cannot stress this enough: Know the company you’re interviewing for. Check their website. Read their founder’s bio. Look up their clients. See what projects they’ve been instrumental in. Find out their long-term goals. The more you know, the better. Be sure to identify ways in which you can be irreplaceable to that specific employer and highlight your best qualities.

Maybe you’re applying to be an assistant at a major PR firm — tell them about that insane project you headed senior year that, with the help of your stellar community outreach skills, raised $10,000 for the local children’s hospital. Or maybe you’re looking to score an internship at your dream magazine. After you’re done imagining yourself as Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada, get your head out of La La Land! You’ll most likely take more trips to and from the office fashion closet than you will to Paris Fashion Week, so get ready for the reality that is Vogue, Elle, Cosmo, etc.

While it’s good to tell an interviewer all about your high hopes and dreams, it’s also important to keep a level head and express to them that you are in fact interested in paying your dues and learning the company.

So before you enter the crazy world of unemployment this summer, get your wits about you and enter the scene prepared. There’s nothing you can’t conquer with the right tools.

BEWARE: Job seekers aren’t the only ones who sometimes get creative when it comes to selling themselves (i.e. resumes and cover letters that have been, shall we say, “tweaked” to make a person look like the ideal candidate). Some employers have a tendency to use verbiage that makes their open positions sound better than they really are.

Over the years, I’ve noticed some popular job descriptors that should be viewed as warning flags a potential employer might be trying to put an overly optimistic spin on a less-than-stellar work situation. Thus, when reading the want-ads, consider the following translations:

Motivated team-player – looking for someone who needs a job badly enough that they’ll put up with lots of unmotivated, annoying people from whom you’ll have to get buy-in on almost everything you do.

High achiever, driven to succeed – must be a complete brown-nose whose sole mission in life is to please and impress management.

Customer-focused – can take a lot of abuse from clients AND management and still act pleasant.

Resourceful, independent self-starter – since we have absolutely no time or resources to train you, we expect you to figure everything out for yourself…quickly.

Attentive to details – we have strict policies and procedures and won’t hesitate to blame you for everything if you make a mistake.

Flexible, enjoys multi-tasking – we are unorganized and change corporate directions daily, so you’ll need to be able to clean up our messes and do jobs that A) you weren’t told about in the interview, and B) aren’t trained to do

Agent of change – you’ll be responsible for implementing a bunch of stuff we’ve been unable to make happen with a group of people who are digging in their heels and refusing to convert.

Works well under pressure – our management team considers everything urgent and is going to micro-manage you daily.

Solution-oriented – we are going to give you lots of messes to clean up and expect you to figure out how to handle them without our direction and with a big smile on your face, even though we aren’t going to give you any resources or support to get it done.

Okay – so if you’ve visited CAREEREALISM.com before you know I’m being sarcastic. But, let’s not forget, all humor is rooted in a bit of truth, right?

I’m not saying that any job posting with one or more of these terms should be crossed of your list of potential employers. I’m just pointing out that every job seeker should do their homework to make sure they have a realistic understanding of what a potential employer’s work environment is really like. FACT: There are no perfect jobs or perfect employers.

I know these are desperate times and many people feel compelled to accept any job offer they get. However, in doing so, you could jump out of the frying pan and into the fire. You need to honestly assess an employer by asking questions that will help you see their flaws (tactfully, of course). Remember: employers are like a potential mate. Don’t fool yourself into thinking you can change them once you are together. Take off your rose-colored glasses (or, beer goggles, for you younger readers) and choose an employer for who they really are – warts and all.

Finally, I leave you with this last piece of advice…

If you do see any of the terms above coupled with “unlimited income potential,” “rapid advancement,” or “ground-floor opportunity,” then before your apply, I just hope you’ll ask yourself, “Why are they trying so hard to impress me?” Need I say more?

Now, who’s got job posting terms they’d like to decode? Post them below and help all the job seekers reading this post translate employer-speak.

This is a guest post from our friends at Excelle. Excelle is the premier online community for female professionals in the United States. Empower yourself with high-quality content relating to workplace issues and career advancement. Forge connections and network with other working women in our interactive forums. Join our community of intelligent, highly-motivated career women here: excelle.monster.com.

Whether you’re graduating this spring or you’re hunting for a summer internship, you’re probably stressed about acing your interviews. To help alleviate some of that stress, we reached out to the experts from Excelle and asked them for their tips on making a great first impression. Check back every Thursday for more helpful career tips and articles!

Prepping for an important interview means researching the company and making sure you have smart responses to anticipated questions. It also means being strategic about what to wear to an interview. Specifically, you want to choose job interview clothes — and colors — that will put you in the best light and may give you an advantage.

Research has shown that 85 percent of communication is nonverbal, so choosing what to wear to an interview is clearly an important part of your overall presentation. It won’t make up for weak answers, but it can communicate some positive things about your personality and what you might be like to work with.

Here’s what some common colors convey so you can put them to best use when getting dressed for the job interview:

Blue: You can’t go wrong with darker shades of blue, especially navy. Choosing from this powerful spectrum will project an image of someone who is in control. From the interviewer’s point of view, the color blue conjures up calm, stability, trust, truth, confidence and security. These are all great messages to send without saying a word.

Gray: After blue, gray is the second most popular color to wear for an interview. Like darker blue, it’s not a distracting color to the interviewer, which means they’ll be focused more on what you’re saying and how you’re saying it. Gray denotes sophistication, so use it to your advantage.

Black: This is a commanding color and represents authority. Black also connotes drama, so use it carefully when putting together your interview outfit. You may want to use it as an accent — like in a scarf or tie, for instance — rather than as the primary color.

Red: This is an extremely powerful color. It’s so strong you should only use it as an accent color. Reds are associated with energy, passion, desire, power and aggression. People think of intensity and passion when they see the color red, so use it sparingly, or it could send the wrong message to the interviewer.

White: White shirts and blouses are always a safe bet. It sends the message of simplicity, cleanliness, precision and goodness.

In this very competitive job market, give yourself every opportunity to shine in the interview. Knowing what job interview clothes to wear makes a statement about who you are. Choosing the right colors will reinforce that positive impression.

This is a guest post from our friends at Excelle. Excelle is the premier online community for female professionals in the United States. Empower yourself with high-quality content relating to workplace issues and career advancement. Forge connections and network with other working women in our interactive forums. Join our community of intelligent, highly-motivated career women here: excelle.monster.com.

Whether you’re graduating this spring or you’re hunting for a summer internship, you’re probably stressed about acing your interviews. To help alleviate some of that stress, we reached out to the experts from Excelle and asked them for their tips on making a great first impression. Check back every Thursday for more helpful career tips and articles!

If you were a recruiter given a choice between two candidates—one with a few years of industry experience and the other with excellent qualifications but no “real world” training—who would you choose?

There’s no easy answer to this question, as there is no clear winner in the age-old debate on the importance of education vs. the value of experience. With one random search on the Internet, you’ll find tons of people sitting on both sides of the fence. Pages and pages have been dedicated to the debate, but it seems far from being settled.

Those who think education has little bearing on success never tire of throwing out the names of famous university dropouts like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs to win their argument, while the proponents of a college education quote statistic after statistic to prove its impact on a person’s employability and earnings.

Education or Experience

So what’s more important—education or experience? The truth is that both have a place in a person’s career trajectory.

While someone with experience but no formal degree may be favored for certain jobs, he or she may find himself or herself reaching a saturation point in his or her career earlier and may struggle to advance professionally because the person is not considered adequately qualified. On the other hand, a college grad with the best education and book smarts may be completely at sea when it comes to dealing with real-world work situations if the graduate has no prior industry experience.

I recently heard about an individual applying for a job who was asked by the hiring manager to bring up his Facebook page. The individual was shocked, but did so because he wasn’t sure how to refuse.

What would you do if this happened to you? Does an employer even have the right to ask this, especially when Facebook is supposed to be something you only allow your “friends,” or people you have approved, to see? Perhaps not. But if you say no, are you improving or hurting your chances for getting the job?

Here are some suggestions for how to cope if you find yourself in this bind:

1. Create a fan page that is purely business and bring that up.

2. Make sure you only put information on Facebook that portrays you in a positive and professional light (however, you can’t control what a friend might post).

3. Say you don’t have a Facebook page (although they may search for you).

4. State you would be glad to bring up your LinkedIn or Zoom or Google profile instead as that is business related.

5. State that Facebook is like a diary, something to be opened only by people with authorization

6. Ask them to bring their page up and then search for you.

Regardless of what you decide, this discussion shows the importance of keeping a professional and positive online identity, something we have discussed in previous articles. Never underestimate what employers or others can learn about you through the internet.

Also, don’t forget to revisit your privacy settings on Facebook. When I searched for myself, I realized Facebook showed my profile picture, my business, but also pictures of some of my friends. I reset my privacy settings to hide my friends. This protects them and also keeps someone from then searching my friends to find even more personal information.

This is a guest post from our friends at Excelle. Excelle is the premier online community for female professionals in the United States. Empower yourself with high-quality content relating to workplace issues and career advancement. Forge connections and network with other working women in our interactive forums. Join our community of intelligent, highly-motivated career women here: excelle.monster.com.