What's in a Name?

Dear Reader,

Thanks to modern technology we can store millions of files on small pieces of electronic hardware. The flip-side is that we need to be able to search and find what we are looking for in vast array of information at our disposal. While the task can seem like trying to find the Ark of the Covenant in the government warehouse, there is a small thing we can do to help ourselves, naming the file in a helpful way. I have honestly seen a number of files on a network named "stuff", "document" and "junk".

My most recent dive into the pool of ill-named files is a current hiring process I am going through. While the candidates are awesome, the majority of them named their cover letters "cover letter" or "intro" and resumes "resume" or "new resume". On the surface you may think they are doing a good job but when you realize these will all go into one folder, guess who's file will stand out?

That's right, "John Alverez resume 2016" and "Suzanne Johnson cover manager position". While this won't guarantee they will get past the reading stage, it automatically makes me think they are organized and for some reviewers it might mean the difference between a phone call and the slush pile. I think the next time I apply for a job I may name my application as "Jason awesome candidate" or "Hire this guy Jason resume". Pass this on to your students as proper file description is a good digital literacy skill and a good job application skill as well.

Regards,

Tech & Literacy

P.S. Thank you Creative Commons for the use of the file folder image.

P.P.S. Disregard everything above if you store your passwords in a document, NEVER name it PASSWORD, or have a password that is "password".