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How to Manage Your Online Brand for Career Success

Your online presence is under scrutiny. It’s a reality you can’t afford to ignore. Consider this scenario: you’ve just secured an interview for a job you’ve been eyeing. The salary is enticing, the company boasts a stellar reputation, and there’s ample opportunity for career advancement. Naturally, you’ve meticulously selected an outfit designed to impress, rehearsed your interview responses, and prepared to showcase your skills and professionalism.

But hold on — what about your social media profiles?

Preparing for your interview is just one piece of the puzzle. According to a CareerBuilder survey, a staggering 70 percent of employers leverage social media to evaluate potential candidates during the hiring process. As such, it’s imperative to craft a compelling personal brand through your online presence, not solely focus on interview preparation. Whether you’re just beginning to shape your digital footprint or seeking to refine your existing online brand, here’s a comprehensive checklist to guide you through the process.

Does this mean hiring managers will peruse your LinkedIn profile? Highly likely. However, why stop there? It’s probable they’ll conduct a thorough social media check across various platforms. If the thought induces a moment of panic, it’s justified. Social media sites, blogs, personal websites, and virtually anything you do online can leave traces that could potentially tarnish your image in the eyes of prospective employers.

Here’s a simple checklist to evaluate and tidy up your online presence before it’s too late:

LinkedIn

Your LinkedIn profile might not harbor embarrassing content, but is it optimized? Employers conducting social media checks are likely to begin here. Ensure your LinkedIn profile shines to make a stellar first impression.

  • Update all pertinent information. It’s easy to overlook profile updates after changing jobs, relocating, or launching a new website.
  • Incorporate relevant keywords throughout your profile to capture the attention of desired hiring managers.

Facebook

While Facebook is predominantly personal, potential employers may still scrutinize it. Some may even request unrestricted access to your profile – a practice to approach cautiously.

  • Review and adjust privacy settings by navigating to the upper-right corner of your profile and accessing “Privacy Check-Up.”
  • Scrutinize your activity log to gauge the impression your profile portrays. Remove or untag yourself from any unsavory content.

Personal Blog

  • If you maintain a personal blog, ensure it aligns with your professional aspirations. Remove or revise any content that could potentially compromise your professional image.
  • Consider the impression your blog creates and whether it reflects positively on your personal brand.

Twitter and Instagram

Chances are, you maintain either a Twitter or Instagram (or both) account. While maintaining separate professional and personal profiles is an option, adjusting privacy settings on personal accounts is crucial.

  • Secure Twitter accounts by navigating to “Settings” > “Security and Privacy” > “Protect My Tweets.”
  • Review tagged photos on Instagram, untagging or hiding those that don’t reflect your professional image.

Other Platforms

Depending on your online interactions, you may manage multiple social media accounts. Here’s how to address each platform:

  • Reddit: Adjust privacy settings under “Preferences” to safeguard data.
  • YouTube: Review video privacy settings to ensure visibility aligns with professional objectives.
  • Pinterest: Customize privacy settings under “Edit Settings” to control data visibility.
  • Google+: Update or delete profiles as necessary.
  • Tumblr: Adjust settings to control visibility and privacy.
  • Flickr: Customize privacy preferences to regulate content visibility.

Job Boards

  • Update or remove outdated profiles and resumes from job boards to present an accurate representation of your skills and experiences.

Google Yourself

  • Conduct a Google search of your name to assess your online presence. Address any negative or outdated content that may appear in search results.
  • Consider ways to enhance your online brand with positive, professional content.

Review our other post: How Can You Master Your Online Personal Brand? (clearpointhco.com)

Add Positive Material

Consistently post positive, relevant content across social media platforms to bolster your online presence. Fresh content pushes older, potentially unfavorable material down the list, reducing visibility.

In conclusion, while you may not relish the idea of curating your image across social media platforms, it’s an indispensable aspect of today’s professional landscape. By proactively managing your online brand, you can shape how potential employers perceive you and position yourself for career success. With these straightforward tips, you can clean up your digital footprint and cultivate a stronger virtual presence.

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