Learn how to manage and protect your online reputation with these six top tips for managing your online reputation, digital presence and profile more effectively.
As Dick Bolles notes in his best selling career guide 'What Color Is Your Parachute?' - 'Google is your new resumé'. Although a compelling CV or resumé is still a key component of a successful job search, it’s now equally important that your online presence creates a positive first impression. So, it’s clearly worth investing some time and effort managing and maintaining your online presence, as well as protecting and managing your digital reputation.
Unfortunately whilst you may have complete control over the process of creating your traditional resumé or CV, curating your online reputation and digital presence can be a bit more challenging. Fortunately, there are some straightforward steps and simple tips that will help you manage and enhance your online presence and digital footprint - and I cover six of them in this video.
01. Google Yourself
By searching for your full name on Google, you’ll immediately discover what a recruiter or HR manager will find out about you when they begin the digital detection process. If your name doesn’t initially appear in the search results, then try adding your job title or company name and see what comes up.
Be sure to also check Google Images and Google News. It’s also worth setting up a Google Alert for your name to help ensure that you’re notified when any new content referencing you appears online.
If you can’t find yourself online, don’t worry. Finding no content is better than finding negative content, which brings us on to tip number two.
02. Remove Negative & Compromising Content
If your Google Search and a review of your social media profiles throw up any negative or compromising content that isn’t aligned with the professional impression that you want to create, then it’s important to take steps to delete any compromising images, posts or tweets.
For example, if friends have tagged you in photos that don’t portray you in the best light, then remove the tag that identifies you.
03. Review Your Social Media Privacy Settings
This is a key step in maintaining and controlling your online reputation. Start by checking that your personal posts and private photos are not being shared publicly. Even if you do find that all of your privacy settings are set to maximum, it’s still a good rule of thumb to never post anything online that you wouldn’t be happy for the whole world to see.
04. Complete & Maintain Key Social Media Profiles
Although managing multiple social media profiles may seem like a hassle, it’s important to maintain some level of presence on platforms such as Twitter and particularly LinkedIn.
LinkedIn will be the first port of call for most recruiters, so it’s important that your profile is up-to-date and the content is consistent with your CV.
Ensure that your profiles are fully completed and make sure you check and double check for any spelling or grammar errors, as mistakes demonstrate a lack of attention to detail and will be sure to count against you.
As well as providing a powerful opportunity to showcase while you’re a perfect candidate for a role, your digital footprint could trip you up, if different platforms throw up conflicting or inconsistent information. It’s therefore important to ensure that all of your key professional and career information is consistent across all of your different platforms and channels.
Most importantly, your CV and LinkedIn profile should be perfectly aligned and your current job title and employment details should be the same on every platform and profile.
05. Contribute & Create Content
Once your social media profiles are complete and up-to-date, then it’s time to get into the habit of posting regular content.
Although the prospect of creating online content may seem daunting, you can easily get started by simply sharing a relevant business article or video with a comment noting why it’s of interest.
As you get more comfortable with different platforms, consider joining groups. commenting on articles, writing a blog or even producing a video.
For example, if there are people in your network who might benefit from the content that I’ve covered today, you could get started right now by liking and sharing this video. Or if you have any helpful tips that I haven’t covered, then you could post a comment.
06. Highlight Your Creative, Communication & Professional Skills
Although the social media landscape may sometimes appear difficult to navigate, the good news is that it offers unlimited opportunities to showcase your communication skills, creativity and professionalism.
The digital space can provide employers with the evidence, reassurance and social proof that your skills, knowledge, experience and abilities are very real and extremely valuable.
So, whether you get started by posting a comment, sharing an article, writing a blog, producing a video or creating your own website, make sure that you take a first step and start showcasing the best version of yourself and what you have to offer.
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