Looking for a Roommate? Post an Ad!

Moving out has been an exciting prospect for all of us. The glories of getting away from nagging parents and responsibilities that you were bound to since infancy (i.e. chores) is incomparable. But once it really gets down to it, things are harder than they initially seemed.

Whether you are living on or off campus, you usually have to find a roommate, and that usually means putting up a wanted ad on either a roommate-finding website, or an ad-placing site like Craigslist. Though at first you may not get any responses, you must keep persevering, and make sure that your ad is still on the site where anyone can see it. Below is a guide on what to generally put in your wanted ad.

A Quick Guide on What to Put in Your Wanted Ad:

• Use bullet points to talk about yourself. A list is easier on the eyes than an entire essay detailing your life, so it’s important to keep things short and simple.
• Use good grammar. Even though you might think text-speak is cooler, it is far more professional to use good grammar. You’re an adult now, not a middle school kid. People will think less of your IQ if you are caught <333typin liek this lol <33333 xoxo.
• Post a picture of yourself. It is important to show yourself to potential roommates, just so they get an idea of what you look like. Even a three-megapixel webcam picture is fine as long as viewers can see your face. Be sure to be yourself, and not show off in a way that isn’t you.
• Habits. If you are a vegetarian, lactose-intolerant, have allergies, or smoke, you may want to put that in your ad. It is unlikely that you will not find a roommate based on your diet or recreational needs, but it's better if they know beforehand.
• Make your intentions clear. Even when I clearly wrote that I wanted a single room to myself, I got emails asking if I was willing to share a room. Bold, italicize, or capitalize those important points in your ad, so no one overlooks it.
• How tolerant are you? Can you tolerate pets, 420, or partying? Be sure to put that in your ad. Rest assured, no one is going to skip your ad because they think you’re ‘uncool’. You will find a myriad of people with different personalities and hobbies, so don’t worry if you think you’ll only find unpleasant characters. Chances are, you’ll find someone like you.
• Do you have a room already, or are you searching for a roommate and a room? I once received an email where an unobservant person was asking if I was still selling the room… a room that I didn’t have. Make sure to highlight whether you are looking for a room, a roommate, or both.
• Contact Information. Don’t forget it! Whether it’s a phone number or an email address, no one is going to contact you if you don’t leave any information!
• Don’t give up. Even if you haven’t gotten a response after several weeks, don’t lose hope. Sometimes the best people turn up last.
• There will be disappointments. You may get scam offers, or emails from people who did not bother to read your ad all the way through and are asking for things you aren’t offering.
• Don’t rely solely on your ad. Just because your ad is out on the web does not mean that you can quit searching and relax. If you are seriously trying to find a roommate, you must seek some out yourself. Search for wanted ads, and email the people you think you can get along with.

With these tips in mind, good luck searching for your ideal roommate! Work hard, and you will be greatly rewarded.