Applying for and industry whose roots are online is a totally different story from your regular applications. The problem is, there are so many who are not aware of these flaws that would seem unimportant, but actually give off a very negative impression for the one handling your application or interview.

You’d be surprised at the quantity and quality of flaws that would even seem comical at times. Here are things you just have to be aware of when applying for IT companies:

E-mail: When sending out hard copies of your application letters and resumes, keep in mind to already add in your email address. This may come as common sense to some, but there are a few out there who miss a potential position because the preferred communication is through mail. Also bear in mind that your email alone already gives an impression. Stick to the basics of your name for application purposes. I once encountered an application that had cute158@yahoo.com or sexyangelforever@yahoo.com as their email, and it took me a while to recover from laughing. That’s a first impression you would never want to get.

Online reputation: References are not the only basis of background checks. It is already quite common for companies to google their applicant’s name especially for key positions. Learn to separate your private life from your office life. If you were applying as a project manager, and the search for your name came up with some incriminating information or pictures, they would think twice about hiring you. There is such a thing as freedom of expression, and you are free to facebook, however, learn to put boundaries. One way to ensure security is to take advantage of privacy options, or, just use a different online alias.

Online homework: A company wouldn’t hire an employee they did not know, and they expect nothing less from you. If you were applying for an IT company, it is unlikely that they do not have a website. Use that to your advantage. Find out about what they are, and what they offer. Don’t expect to hear about that during the interview. Chances are, your interviewer is expecting you to have already found these basic information on the company. Ask something that is supposed to be already public knowledge, and it will show very little about your initiative. For fresh grads especially, if the job is something you are unfamiliar with, use the internet, research on the job description. Questions on what you can do for the job will come up on the interview, and it’s silly when your potential boss sees that you’re applying for something you actually have no idea about.