Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Zety.com.
Have you checked your online presence before submitting your resume? Did you know that one of the first things employers do after viewing your resume is to check your online presence?
What do you think they will find? Are you looking for an employer looking at your Facebook profile? If you’re shaking your head “no,” then it’s time to improve your online presence.
But what if you are not online? Then you have nothing to worry about, right? It’s wrong. Some employers won’t even interview candidates if they can’t find them online.
So, you need to give them something to work on – something professional. At the very least, you’ll need to start with a LinkedIn profile and consider an online resume.
To get started, you need to check your online presence. That’s why I wrote this very short, very effective guide.
How to Monitor Your Online Presence and Social Media Profiles
Let’s say you are a true child of the digital generation. Your use of social media far exceeds LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. He also has an Instagram and a YouTube channel. You may have a personal blog or website.
If this sounds like you, you obviously have some surfing experience.
At the same time, how many times have you done a vain search on the Internet? Or let’s say you’re off the grid and you’re not online. Nothing to see here, right? Well, you never know what other people are posting and what they are. Therefore, it is better to check your online presence anyway.
Start by using your name through different search engines to see what comes up in the results. Try Google, Bing, Yahoo and DuckDuckGo.
If you’re Googling yourself, remember to do so while signed out of your Google accounts. Otherwise, the search engine will personalize the results for you based on account activity.
Let’s say you find something disturbing. How do you remove it? Here’s the thing. You and Google may have different ideas about what is annoying enough to remove.
What does Google think is disruptive?
- Bank account numbers
- Pictures of your signature
- Non-consensual nude photos
In other words, very personal information and revenge porn. All you have to do is ask Google to pull the content out of the internet for you.
Which you might think is disturbing
- Pictures of you drunk
- Your top photos
- Uninteresting blog post
In other words, very embarrassing and useless things. Remember to check Google Images. If you want to remove such content, Google advises you to go directly to the webmaster.
Once you’re done testing Google, test your online presence on other search engines. Most have waiver application forms.
OK, but what should you do if you’re one of those unlucky souls whose one-time mistakes at work go viral? If so, you may want to remove your online presence altogether.
For those of you who don’t find the content disturbing, it’s time to visit your various social media profiles. Most allow you to see how your profile looks to public viewers.
You’ll want to set your LinkedIn profile to public anyway. As for Facebook and Twitter, see which posts appear in public mode. If any of your posts are controversial – remove them.
What do employers find controversial?
- Sensational or discriminatory content
- Drugs and alcohol
- Poor writing
But they don’t want content that will disqualify you. Many are looking for content to back up what they get from your resume. For example, professional portfolio and personal internet.
This is why you should consider putting public, professional content online:
- Right: Blog, website, portfolio, resume online
- Incorrect: Typing, oversharing, selfies, bad mouthing
How to Create Your LinkedIn Profile to Impress Employers
Whether you’re online or offline, you need a LinkedIn profile. Why?
Because 87% of employers use LinkedIn to check your online presence, according to our HR statistics report. What does that mean to you?
Almost every time you send a resume, an employer will check to see if you have a LinkedIn profile. So, it’s better if you have it. And it’s even better if you have one that shows what you wrote on your paper again.
If you’re already on LinkedIn, you’ll want to think about upgrading your profile.
Steps to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile
The first step is to complete your profile.
Next, consider adding more information to your profile. Pick the things that didn’t make a difference in your regular resume. If you didn’t have space for hobbies and interests, add them. On LinkedIn, 87% of hiring managers are looking for employees with personality.
Finally, you’ll want to personalize your URL and consider linking to your online resume.
Personalizing your LinkedIn URL and online Resume linking
Adding a link to an online resume makes it easier for employers to access your information.
Imagine a situation where your employer spills coffee all over your resume. Or maybe it falls behind their desk? Here’s a memo when a recruiter writes down your personal LinkedIn URL. And, BAM! There is a link to your resume online. Nice, huh?
Personalizing your link makes it easier for employers to use it later.
To personalize your URL, go to “view profile” and click the pencil icon next to your LinkedIn profile URL. Edit your link to include your name and your name only:
- Right:
- Incorrect: -134u13849487504755trgajafkdknvbq2u4842h(*&)^&%^%(&)*^&^FYDSHKFNKJDHFIUWYEWR*(WPUR
How to Test Your Online Presence Against Your Traditional Startup
The key to combining your online reputation with your traditional resume is consistency. Think of it like this:
Let’s say you’re the Annie Leibovitz of capturing mice. If so, you should have an online portfolio of mouse photos. Your resume should mention mice. Not owls, deer, or mice.
You will also need to evaluate your online presence to ensure consistent representation across all platforms.
Now that you’re sure everything is in line, cross-reference your digital and paper content. Start by adding a link to your portfolio or website in the contact section of your resume.
Next, link to an online resume through your portfolio, website or LinkedIn profile. That’s how your online professional life is all about. So, if an employer stumbles upon your website or portfolio, they can check your resume. And if they start with your resume, they end up on your website or portfolio.
You get the idea. Whatever your job, the least you can do is leave a trail of breadcrumbs online. That’s why you need to test your online presence, so you can leave links where recruiters can find you. At the end of the day, all employers want is information to support what you put on your resume.
Key Takeaways
Remember these points:
- Unfortunately, it is no longer enough to know how to perform a complete reboot. In the digital age, you should also make sure that you are connected to the Internet.
- The best and easiest way to do that is to check your online presence. After that, improve your LinkedIn profile for recruiting visits.
- Finally, consider going paperless with an online resume for professionals.
The key is to make your online reputation shine.
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