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Classroom Communications

What your "Online Reputation" says about you?

As you prepare for your career, it's never too early to start to look at your online presence and what it says about you.

Some programs have a practicum or co-op component and these companies are using social media as a tool to evaluate you. Social media profiles are now as important as your resume because Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and other profiles feature information that can highlight your personal character, integrity and skills.

Create your Personal Brand

You've read about the dangers of social media but don't realize there are many benefits of social media in regard to your career growth. An active personal brand could be the tool that sets you above the pack. 

Consider creating a LinkedIn account. LinkedIn has become the premier online career networking tool. A great way to sell yourself, your experience, your skills and your career interest. An active and up-to-date profile is becoming an expectation for Human Resources as they vet you. 
 

Tips for Creating Your Personal Brand
  • Make sure all your information is up-to-date and you have included all relevant jobs, projects and skills.
  • A good percentage of your posts should focus on career topics that are relevant to the companies you work/have applied for, especially tweets, retweets and likes.
  • Use your privacy setting wisely, keep your employment information and skills public and your personal information private. 
  • Before making a post, ask yourself - does this add value to my personal brand?
  • Be aware of the difference between posting an opinion and posting facts. Opinions always alienate a section of readers.

"The digital world isn’t going anywhere anytime soon—so think of it as a lifelong development. Take advantage of the platform to present yourself in a good light and show off your best qualities." Kristina Erickson (Digital Writer at Collegis Education)

 

Cleaning Your Online Presence

Your digital footprint is not limited to social media profiles. It includes blog posts, personal and professional emails, comments in forums and articles and all other content submitted to websites. Everything you post online could impact your future ability to find a job, get a promotion, volunteer or run for governing bodies. Here are some ways you can start scrubbing your digital footprint.
 

Purge Your Presence
  • Delete old accounts or profiles.
  • Unsubscribe to a medium you no longer associate with such as a newsletter or promotional mailouts.
Search Yourself
  • Search your name over multiple search engines.
  • Correct irrelevant information and images by contacting the source.
  • Consider a professional background check 
Control Your Narrative
  • Change your posting habits.
  • Avoid posting opinions when emotional.
  • Limit friends and followers - in the eyes of employers, your contacts are an extension of yourself.
  • Make your posts private.
  • Set being "tagged" to require your approval.

Uploaded by Nick Chen on YouTube Watch on June 12, 2010

Social Media Awareness

How you use Social Media could have consequences you haven't considered. According to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey:

  • 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process
  • 43% of employers use social media to check on current employees
  • 34% of employers have reprimanded or fired an employee due to content found online

The online survey shows content employers found on social networking sites :