Ben gave a presentation to Leeds Met students on Landing a Job in the Digital World.

1. Landing a Job
in the
Digital World
June 2010
By Ben Cotton

2. A quick vote! vote...
A quick

3. 'It's a tough world out there'
It's a tough world out there!
You have to make yourself
stand out from the crowd! out
'You need to stand
from the crowd'

4. That's helpful!
Helpful!

5. 'the creation of an asset that pertains to a
particular person or individual; this includes but
is not limited to the body, clothing, appearance
and knowledge contained within, leading to an
indelible impression that is uniquely
distinguishable.'
Tom Peters, Personal branding bloke, 1997

6. Your Blog is the new CV
Your blog is your new CV!

7. So is your e-portfolio
So is your e-portfolio!

8. HowBut how launch launch this
can you can you
this work? work?

10. 19m UK active Internet
users
25% micro/blog
58% read blogs
79% watch videos
online
64% belong to a social
network

11. No paper vs. lots and lots
of paper
Stand out from the crowd
vs. fiollow the crowd
Cheap vs. some expense
Wider audience vs.
limited audience
Demonstrate digital skills
vs. cutting and sticking!
Instant vs. slow
Email link vs. show hard
copy

12. Digital Footprint

14. 'Inevitably employers are using Google as a personal reputation
engine and scrutinising these types of sites to review an individual’
s career history and work ahead of hiring an individual.'
Stephen Waddington, MD Speed Communications, 2009
'As more and more people use Twitter, Facebook and blogs we
know far more about people than we’ve ever done before. The first
thing that I do when recruiting someone is check them out online. It’
s a matter of few minutes to go back and read hundreds of their
previous tweets and find out far more about the real them than any
CV, reference or interview could ever reveal.'
Stuart Bruce, MD Wolfstar, 2010

16. Personal Brand
vs. SEO
Personal brand is pre-google
1997 vs. 2010
People mention personal brand or digital footprint, they
are often referring to something that is better described
as personal SEO
People describe what happens when someone Google’
s your name
Having good stuff come up is the essence of personal
SEO

17. Permanent
Public
Immediate

18. Some cautionary
tales...

19. 'Facebook users are
dumb F*cks!'

20. Kevin Colvin is a fairy

21. #Epic #Fail

22. Tweeted his way out
of the Labour Party
'Just won a
signed Celtic
shirt in a raffle.
Want to vom' 'Coffin dodgers'
'Johnnie Walker Red Label is
Pub full of 'depressed teuchters' so awful they can't sell it in
Scotland'

23. Where to start?
Google yourself! Google Alerts
123.people.com

24. Voice your opinion
Google loves blogs!
Improve writing
Demonstrate industry knowledge

25. Presentation decks
Free your work...make your
e-portfolio go 'live'!
Examples of
writing/projects etc
CV Great for search!

26. Access to
industry people Find out
what people are
Get into conversation thinking!!!
Let them know you
are looking for a job!
Find out about industry
issues
Build an online
reputation Let them know about your
blog

27. It's a tough world out there!
Success!
You have to make yourself
stand out from the crowd!
PSSTT! Remember to click
here!

28. Other considerations...
Privacy
SEO yourself to the
max!
Sharable
Contactable
Curate, as well as create

29. Client confidentiality
Could look stupid and
damage your reputation
Extremely public
Personal privacy

30. Q&A
Any questions?

31. ThaThThank you
Thank You
Contact Details
contact@ben-cotton.com
www.twitter.com/bencotton
www.socialwebthing.com
www.ben-cotton.com
www.linkedin.com/in/bencotton
www.slideshare.net/bencotton