Managing your online presence

In today’s digital world, your online presence matters more than ever when it comes to your job search and career growth. We’re here to help you navigate this digital landscape, making sure your online image looks professional, and helping you strike the right balance between your personal and professional accounts. Our goal is to make sure your online presence boosts your career opportunities.

Why do you need to manage your online presence?

With the rise of social media and the widespread sharing of personal information online, it’s important to be mindful of your digital presence. During the hiring process, many companies now review social media profiles to learn more about candidates.

Companies will check out your social media profiles to gauge what kind of a person you are, so it’s important that you’re careful about what you post and that you take control of the information you put online.

The key is to make sure your social media accounts are well-managed and to make a clear distinction between your professional and your personal accounts.

Does your professional profile show you in the best light? Does it convey the image you’d want an employer to see? Don’t let your online presence be a risk to your career prospects.

What does your online profile say about you?

Take a moment to think about what your social media profiles might reveal to potential employers. Are there any photos or posts you wouldn’t want them to see? What about comments and opinions expressed on platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) or Threads? Remember, everything you share online contributes to your online image.

Online sharing and mindfulness

Keep in mind that whatever you share online can have a long-lasting digital presence. Deleting it isn’t always enough, as content can be saved, screenshotted, or recorded by others. That’s why being mindful when you post online is crucial.

Take a moment to reconsider before hitting that ‘post’ button, and make sure that your online presence aligns with the professional image you wish to portray.

Google your name

Search your name on Google to see what comes up. If you have a common name, try adding your location to help narrow down the search.

Check Google images for any photos you’d prefer to keep private. If you find images you’d like to remove, identify where they’re hosted and see if you can request to have them taken down.

Secure your social media privacy

Review and adjust your privacy settings on your social media channels to control who can view your images and updates. You can also prevent your profiles from appearing in search engine results, enhancing your online privacy.

On Facebook and LinkedIn, you can click an option to ‘see what visitors’ see. This is useful to understand what shows to people outside of your network.

Assume nothing is private

Be mindful of your online interactions, even when sharing with friends. It’s a good idea to steer clear of sharing personal opinions about your employers and colleagues, as these posts can surface and impact your current role and professional image.

Mind your connections

Remember that your social media connections can access your past and future posts. Choose your connections wisely, considering how they may perceive your online presence.

All views are personal

If you mention your workplace on social media, clarify that your views are personal and not representative of your company. This distinction ensures transparency and professionalism.

Leverage your online presence for your job search

In addition to managing your online presence, consider how it can actively support your job search. Platforms like LinkedIn offer opportunities to showcase your professional achievements and skills. An online portfolio or a professional page on platforms like Instagram or TikTok can help you stand out to potential employers, demonstrating your expertise and enthusiasm for your field. Just be mindful of confidentiality and seeking appropriate permissions when building an online portfolio.

Your online presence is powerful

Your online presence is a powerful tool in your career journey. With strategic management and utilisation, you can control your digital footprint and enhance your professional image.