This document discusses the importance of digital footprints and online networking for career prospects. It notes that employers now investigate applicants' online presences and that having no online presence can negatively impact job interviews. It provides tips for finding and managing one's digital footprint, developing a positive online profile, and practicing good netiquette when interacting online.
JB Introductions Delicious – no handouts Questions as we go and time for questions at the end
JB – In brief What Is Your Digital Footprint? Your digital footprint is everything on the Internet that’s about you. This could include your profile on Facebook or MySpace, photos that you or your friends & family have posted online, as well as anything you have ever written on discussion boards, blogs or anywhere else. Why is it important Employer’s are looking; opportunity to widen your network We’ll be looking at you can take advantage of your digital footprint & the pitfalls
JB Racepoint - They had just hired someone who had a blog and commented on other blogs talking about PR and technology which demonstrated an interest and understanding
JB 25% of employers are checking on candidates prior to offering them a job Charities and retail firms least likely Media, professional services and finance most likely Personnel Today, UK Rejected? (% of candidates affected) Information about them drinking or using drugs (41%) Provocative or inappropriate photographs or information (40%) Poor communication skills (29%) Hired? Background supported their qualifications for the job (48%) Great communication skills (43%) Good fit for the company’s culture (40%)
ML What is your footprint? Shadow footprint
ML How many of you have googled yourself? Show: Matt Lingard (Web) Lots as you would expect, Judith Baines (UK) less but some old stuff shows it hangs around Google Alerts – show via More… menu
ML 1) If in doubt don’t post! Or keep it private. If you what to keep a public profile don’t include anything that you might find embarrassing later or wouldn’t want your work colleagues, lecturers or an employer to see. Consider using a different name (e.g a nickname) for your more private social profile. Once information has been posted online it can become almost impossible to remove because of archiving and file sharing. Even if you deactivate your social networking account, the information may still be held in the system and be accessible to others. [ Demo Facebook with mad_rattling@yahoo.co.uk account Search for John Smith] 2) Clearly separate your personal and professional online profiles. 3) Keep CVs / Profiles up-to-date 4) Don’t use unsuitable email addresses / voicemail message
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JB Commenting - Blogs, Amazon Book reviews, Other social media (e.g. Slideshare) Blogging Forums / Chatrooms Improve your CV You can beef up CV by putting digital links on there eg. if you are into music put link to current playlist eg. lastFM; if interested in photography, link to photos on Flickr – show them your digital presence Look at your own brand ; If it is in conflict with someone else then build up your brand to differentiate from another person! E.g. Invest in your own name as a domain name, especially if you have a common name…
JB Using a professional social networking site Set up your profile (like an online CV) Don’t forget to consider your privacy settings Develop your network of contacts Degrees of separation Join groups for your areas of interest Communicate Ask and answer questions Tell people what you’re working on Start and contribute to discussions Share news www.linkedin.com/in/helenpownall
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ML Informal social networking Twitter – follow employers in your chosen sector (Networking) Matt [ Demo me & Christian Fea]
ML Commenting on blog posts and news Gary’s blog – show comments Vice President Beauty Care looking after the Global Marketing for one of our global beauty care brands. http://krconnect.blogspot.com/ Amazon book reviews Other social Media sites e.g. Slideshare
Quick mention of Search Engines to help you find blogs that are worth following
ML / JB Blogging yourself Finalists (LSE student blog) Winner of the first ever European blogging competition ‘ Th!nk About It,’ a competition that aimed to get young people talking about the European elections Oz’s national broadsheet, The Australian – the reward for winning The Times Kate Alderson Prize, in memory of a former City student and Times reporter.
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JB Been mostly talking about how we can use online networking tools Show Katie Brunt’s profile Read her carefully worded summary which says clearly who she is and what she wants Note in particular her 52 connections, her recommendations, her links to her website (show) and Twitter profile. She has multiple presences on the web.
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JB http://www.traineesolicitor.co.uk/forums/
JB This post is anonymous… but take care If you are posting on sites such as Nicube – watch what you write… don’t be rude about employers in the sector you are interested!
JB Mind your manners. You wouldn’t approach someone at a party and say, “go get me a job at IBM”. Working a virtual room is no different, says Liz Ryan, a columnist and author. “ People believe networking is all about going to the universe with your problems and it’s not. It’s about human connections.” So go make connections. Personalise every approach by talking about something that will be of interest to the respondent 7. The rules. If you initiate the contact, the onus is on you to keep contributing the kind of valuable information that will build that relationship into a useful connection. “You don’t have to be right in your educated guess about what might be valuable... you just have to try. And it has to be sincere,” Be polite. It’s better to let invitations from people you don’t know languish than reject connections, Liz Ryan says. Construct your profile carefully – people will judge you on it Set networking objectives but be prepared to build relationships over time Be someone who helps others Don’t make cold contacts – build relationships around common interests and connections Decide where you stand on privacy and on the boundaries between personal and professional