This week’s blog will focus on the opportunities and challenges of establishing a professional online identity and how to deal with online criticism.
As discussed in my previous blog post, it is best to accept that almost everyone has an online identity. This means that people can and will find information about you on the web. You can however, use this knowledge to your advantage! How? You can start by creating an airtight reputation when promoting yourself online. A suggestion would be to increase your visibility across various platforms to make it easier for head-hunters to find you. Furthermore, you can upgrade your LinkedIn profile by adding more value. Why would you only add your CV, if you have the opportunity to talk about your personal experiences and greatest accomplishments? It transforms a robotic appearance into a more likeable character or persona.
Head hunters use online platforms to find suitable candidates with the appropriate talent to match firms. The statistics summarised in the diagram below underline the significance of creating a strong profile.
Source : Social Meep
As LinkedIn is the most commonly used platform I have attached a helpful video on how to effectively develop a successful LinkedIn profile:
In summary, this video gives vital suggestions on using key words efficiently and how to make yourself easier to find when creating your profile. I wish to highlight again the importance of being connected on different platforms, as it does increase your probability of being found. The internet is after all the quickest tool to find uniquely qualified minds around the world.
A potential challenge that could arise besides security issues, is the overwhelming feeling of being aware that your online profile can be accessed 24/7. Therefore it is essential to keep your page up to date and that you are selective on what invitations you wish to send. If you decide to accept every invite, your page might appear disorganised and out of focus. Therefore, use contacts that are in line with your profession that could assist you in the future. Furthermore stay involved! Even if you have a job, I would recommend that you stay in contact with past clients and colleagues.
I have created a personal checklist, which in my opinion, covers a few vital points that are essential for an overall positive professional appearance.
Self-produced: Powerpoint
Lastly I would like to cover how to react when someone posts unpleasant messages on your page and/or decides to tweet something inappropriate? I created a small info-graphic with some useful tips on how to remain professional when confronted with this situation.
Self-produced: Piktochart
427 words
Resources used:
- https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/10/don-tapscott-talent-management-millennials/
- http://www.theemployable.com/index.php/2014/10/28/blogging-can-help-get-job/
- http://www.bbc.com/news/business-25217962
- https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/magazine/how-one-stupid-tweet-ruined-justine-saccos-life.html?_r=2
- https://www.jobvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Jobvite_SocialRecruiting_Survey2014.pdf
- http://moocs.southampton.ac.uk/websci/2014/03/13/ill-tweet-job-spec-snap-cv/
- http://coursecast.soton.ac.uk/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=2caea677-5fec-4c1a-9ad3-70320d724655
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2010/12/13/10-ways-to-successfully-build-your-online-reputation/#2869765e3b3f
- https://www.altmetric.com/blog/building-your-online-reputation/
- http://www.neilsrecruitment.co.uk/2014/01/lets-get-linkedin-2/
- http://expandedramblings.com/index.php/linkedin-job-statistics/
- http://crln.acrl.org/content/72/1/31.full
- http://blog.capterra.com/top-15-recruiting-statistics-2014/
Living and Working on the Web 
March 15, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Hi Sharon,
Your post raised some really interesting points. I particularly agree with your statement about the importance of including personal experiences in your professional profile to make you stand out and appear less robotic. I feel that potential employers are far more likely to hire someone with adequate social experience, rather than just someone who is highly qualified. In regard to a point you made at the end of your post concerning online critique, do you feel that misinterpretation of online content is the main reason for online hostility? While using an online platform to communicate it appears all too easy for the receiver of the message to misconstrue what is being said, or to not fully understand when sarcasm is employed. I feel personally that any uploaded content always runs the risk of causing offense, particularly when presented to a public site (e.g. twitter). Do you agree? I look forward to hearing your response.
Thanks, David
Word count: 158
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March 16, 2017 at 11:15 am
Hey David,
sadly I do believe that there are many situations on the web where online hostility takes place. For this reason I wanted to add a few tips towards the end of my blog. It is difficult to know the writers intention when you can’t see their facial expressions, wouldn’t you agree?
I’m sure everyone had had this experience at some point in their life, where you receive a blunt message from your friend or colleague and start wondering whether you have done something to upset them. You may have just read it in a different tone and in reality your friend was just busy. In the professional world it would not be appropriate to add emoji’s at the end of an email to show your emotional reaction. This is why I mentioned that it is important to assume the best, and have a general positive attitude.
Sharon
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March 16, 2017 at 3:32 pm
Hi Sharon,
I think the advice that you mention is really useful in regard to assuming the best from messages and to think positively. I too have experienced cases where I have misinterpreted messages and replied aggressively because, as you said, it’s difficult to convey emotion without physical expression. Personally I believe that such misinterpretation can only worsen as the digital world continues to grow, while sadly, face to face contact becomes a thing of the past. In my opinion this can only worsen interpersonal relationships with others, and make real-life social interaction more difficult. Let me know if you agree.
Thanks, David
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March 15, 2017 at 3:15 pm
Hi Sharon!
I really enjoyed your blog, especially the “checklist” you added. I was also interested by the fact you decided to discuss how to deal with online criticism, as this was definitely not something I had considered in my own blog. I think it is easy to forget that what others say about you online can ruin your online reputation as much as not maintaining an appropriate social media profile can.
You focused a lot on LinkedIn. Obviously, it’s the number 1 professional social media site, but I was wondering whether you thought Facebook could be seen as just as useful in job searching. This article (https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2014/02/06/4-ways-to-use-facebook-to-find-a-job/#45e4ffcc1fab) discusses how Facebook is 5 times as big as LinkedIn and as a result, should now be included in social recruiting on par with LinkedIn. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this.
Caiti
(Word Count: 142)
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March 16, 2017 at 11:31 am
Thank you for sharing the article with me Caiti I was surprised to read that 83% use Facebook in their social media search compared to 36% who use LinkedIn. I guess opportunities can arise from any platform really. In my opinion it has to do with the combination of being searchable and a good portion of luck. After all, most of my research has shown me that the majority of people in our generation will have both accounts and that it would be advisable to connect these. Do you believe that it would be a good idea to share your Facebook account on your LinkedIn page?
I look forward to hearing your response.
Sharon
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March 19, 2017 at 9:53 pm
Facebook is probably the one social media site I think should be kept personal. After this topic, I’ve actually decided to make my Twitter profile professional but I do think everybody needs a social media profile where they can actually express themselves freely without the need to watch their content because of recruiters and employers. Would you agree?
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March 15, 2017 at 10:29 pm
Hi Sharon,
I think it’s great that you decided to focus on one particular aspect of using social media for professional use in the case of LinkedIn. I also agree with what you say about using personal experiences to separate and differentiate yourself from all the other potential candidates! I also love that you took time to look at how to deal with online criticism as well, as this was not something that I had thought about when writing my post; it’s definitely important to keep in mind though!
When talking about being selective on invites, you mention: “If you decide to accept every invite, your page might appear disorganised and out of focus.” Do you think that this is useful for everyone? For example, someone might not have a clear career path planned out, and thus has been connecting to employers and colleagues that they have worked with in the past. Do you think this would hinder them, or provide an example of a broad experience in terms of different jobs they might have done?
Andy
(Word Count: 150)
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March 16, 2017 at 12:00 pm
Hi Andy,
thank you for taking the time to read my blog. You made a very interesting point! I cant answer your question with a simple yes or no so bear with me. My research has recommended to stay connected with people and to follow companies who have similar interests, in order to increase your chances of receiving an opportunity/job in that field. It makes it easier for head-hunters to find you.
I have also spoken with Caiti about whether it would be a good idea to combine social platforms. Again, I think there are many capable people out there for a certain job but the most important thing is what differentiates you from your competitors?
Maybe you share a passion for scuba diving and your future boss shares your passion too. He however, would have never known this if you didn’t share multiple stories of your breath taking scuba diving experiences. This hobby could make you more appealing. I have decided for myself to open my LinkedIn account after I have graduated hoping that it will become clearer of what I wish to achieve.
I have friends in their 30´s who are still not quite sure of what they are doing, but that does not discourage them. In fact they use their past experiences to their advantage. What I am trying to say is that you should be selective and share the things that you are really passionate about. I believe that variety is key but you don’t want to drown your readers with unnecessary information.
What are your thoughts on this?
Sharon
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