How long should you search?

With the internet these days, there is so much information available that it is hard to argue what is right vs. wrong and that more or less is better. The point is though, that as long as there is more information to find, people will continue searching and find it. Whether you are doing research on a product and weighing the features and price of a new tablet or researching free PMP info and avoiding purchasing a book, the internet allows us to search to our heart's content. That is, until one of the following happens:

1. 100% convinced
• You have done so much searching that you have completed your quest and made a decision. This amount would be different for everyone, but it does depend on the consistency of the information between sources and the level of trust you have in those credible sources. Regardless, when you make a decision you stop searching and move on to acting on your decision.
2. Too expensive
• If it is not worth your time and/or energy to keep searching. This could be because the information is too hard to find or your deadline is closing fast.
3. Loss of interest
• Actually, I think this happens more than we are willing to admit. Sometimes our initial intention or interest level was minimal to begin with. Then you either don't find the answer right away or don't find the answer interesting enough to continue, you may give up and move on to the next best thing.

In my opinion, this is also true personally. When you are applying to jobs, interviewing, and networking regularly, people WILL be searching for information on you. What can you do about it? Fill the Internet with great things about you:

• utilize Linkedin
• test search yourself
• socialize professionally on social media sources
• engage in tech blogs and forum conversations
• stay aware of what others can find about you in public realms
• have others say/write info about you to increase your credibility

"91% of recruiters screen candidates on their social profile."

Don't let recruiters not call you back because they are 1) other info convinced them otherwise, 2) it's too hard to find info on you, 3) your info is cookie-cutter, boring, and doesn't speak to you and the job description's strengths.