Your online presence can significantly impact employers’ perceptions of you. How employers view your professional brand affects your career prospects.
Your digital persona represents who you are. Therefore, many employers use social media to understand your qualifications, interests, and personality.
Actively managing your online presence helps create a professional image you want employers to see. The following suggestions can help.
Implement these tips to manage your online presence and enhance your career prospects.
Conduct a Digital Audit
Use a private window or Google’s incognito mode to search your full name in quotation marks and see which information shows up. Repeat the process with other name variations you previously used and different search engines to potentially uncover additional results.
Focus on the first page links and the images. These results show what others might see when searching for you online.
If you find any outdated, incorrect, or inappropriate content, contact the website administrator and request it be removed. This content can damage your credibility and negatively affect your career prospects.
Social media audit
Search your current and past social media account usernames. Then, log in to delete any inappropriate content. If the content is on another person’s account, contact the website administrator and ask for the content to be removed.
Repeat the digital audit process monthly. Also, consider setting up a Google Alert to receive notifications when your name appears online.
Remove Inappropriate Content
Inappropriate content in your social media accounts can harm your professional reputation and career prospects. Therefore, remove any photos, videos, comments, or other content that includes:
- Explicit language
- Offensive comments
- Alcohol consumption
- Illegal substances
- Unprofessional behavior
- Confidential information
- Disrespect for previous employers
Update Your Social Media Accounts
Delete the social media accounts you no longer use. Because your identity likely changed over time, the information might not reflect who you are today.
Choose up to three social media platforms to remain active on. Regularly update your information, optimize for search engines, and share your and other professionals’ content.
Build Your Professional Brand
Use your online presence to build your professional brand:
- Ask and answer questions in industry-related LinkedIn Groups.
- Create content that demonstrates your knowledge, skills, and experience.
- Share details about the projects you work on and the skills you develop.
- Cultivate relationships with other industry professionals.
Would You Like to Enhance Your Career Prospects?
Partner with Element Staffing to enhance your career prospects. Visit our job board to apply for a role today.
