Millennials: You have an image problem

If you're a millennial and looking for a job, you already have a reputation. And it's not a good one.

It may be undeserved, but hiring managers assume you're straight out of an episode of "Girls."

Translation: you have an exaggerated self-worth, an aversion to hard work, and parents who give you too much and expect too little. (Google the phrase "millennials at work" and you'll see what I mean.)

So the first thing to do is take special care not to reinforce the stereotype. Follow these five steps:

1. Clean up your social profile. Delete any embarrassing selfies. Get on LinkedIn. Google yourself. Your prospective new boss will.

2. Be ready for the background check. The hiring manager might decide to check your credit history, especially if the job requires some financial responsibility. If you are carrying big credit card balances, aren't paying your student loans on time, or have filed for bankruptcy, employers consider it a red flag.

3. Don't lie. It's too easy to get caught. If you get hired and the lie is uncovered later, you can expect to lose your job immediately. A poll for CareerBuilder found an astonishing 58% of employers say they have caught lies on resumes. Most often -- embellishing skills or responsibilities they had in prior employment.

4. Ditch words like "facilitate" and "transition." And don't call yourself a "problem-solver" or a "team player." Busy hiring managers have heard them so many times they become meaningless. Integrity and professionalism are the top qualities employers value. Find a way in the interview to show those qualities. Tap into the "soft skills" that sell you and you'll stand out even if you don't have a 4.0. The billionaire founder of Home Depot WHO? says it best: "The world is run by C students."

5. Know the company. School is out but you still need to do a lot of homework. Beyond the "About Us" section on the company's home page, read up all you can on the company and find out who its main competitors are. Most important, do you know anyone there who can help you stand out in the interview and vouch for you?

--Christine Romans is CNN Chief Business Correspondent and author of Smart is the New Rich: Money Guide for Millennials. The book is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com and in bookstores next week. Romans is giving away a copy to each person whose question is being answered this week.

Millennials: What's your most pressing money question? Are you worried about getting a job? Ask a question on Twitter or Facebook using #askchristine and @cnnmoney or here.

CNNMoney (New York) March 23, 2015: 7:44 AM ET

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