Signs of fossilization

You might be considered the office dinosaur if you have an embarrassing e-mail address, use a flip phone and more.

October 25, 2013 at 5:33PM
(Randy Salas/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

You might be considered the office dinosaur if you:

Have an embarrassing e-mail address or voice-mail message.

It seems pretty basic, but Catherine Byers Breet, a career coach, says an astonishing number of professionals still have e-mail addresses that should never grace a résumé. "SuzyFancyPants@hotmail.com is not appropriate," she said.

Don't have a LinkedIn profile.

A presence on the professionally focused social network is a must. When potential employers Google you — and they will — you want a polished LinkedIn profile (complete with a recent photo of you) to show up.

Use a flip phone instead of a smartphone.

It's hard to keep up with the latest communication trends if your phone can't handle them.

Use a mouse constantly.

Watch the tech-savvy people around the office. They use key commands, such as punching "Control-S" instead of clicking save. Shortcuts are your friend.

Think tweeting is for the birds.

The social network Twitter offers more chances to network and access to a constant stream of career-related information.

Complain about every digital development.

If you think of new technologies as tools rather than to-dos, you won't need to worry about becoming obsolete.

about the writer

about the writer

Katie Humphrey

Regional Team Leader

Katie Humphrey edits the Regional Team, which includes reporters who cover life, local government and education in the Twin Cities suburbs.

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