Protecting your reputation in the digital age

Aren GrimshawTonick Media

Introduction

• Why worry about your reputation?

• The Good, the bad and the ugly...

• Protecting your reputation

• Going further

• Practical Tips

Why worry about your reputation?

• It may be your first impression

• It can undermine your CV / interview

• It may get you in trouble with the law

• It may lose you your job

• It may cost you a lot more

• It could be permanent!

What are we talking about?

• Your Facebook Profile

• Your Twitter Account

• Your LinkedIn Profile

• Your Personal Blogs

• Any Comments you’ve left

• Anything available in the public domain

Why should I worry?

• 45% of Employers Use Social Networking Sites to Research Job Candidates

• Another 11% plan to start doing so

• 35% of employers reported they have found content that caused them not to hire the candidate

Source: Career Builder - http://ow.ly/2262s

The Bad...

• Inappropriate photographs / info - 53%

• Content about drinking or drugs usage - 44%

• Bad-mouthing previous employer, co-workers or clients – 35%

• Poor communication skills – 29%

• Discriminatory comments – 26%

• Lies about qualifications – 24%

• Confidential info from previous employer – 20%

Source: Career Builder - http://ow.ly/2262s

Status Updates

Status Updates

Photos – caught at the wrong time

...Family emergency?

Group Memberships

Comments

Evidence of Illegal Activity

Watch Other People!!

Sometime people forget it is a public domain and many people (quite often the wrong ones) can see what you write. I remember sounding off last year about the loss I was making on fuel in the company cars. I said nothing untrue but it was a bit blunt and it fell into the wrong hands and I got an official warning for it. I never even thought about it being a public domain. I was just angry and voicing off. Been very careful ever since!

Real life case study, local advertising sales representative

Getting it right

• 18% of employers reported they have found content on social networking sites that caused them to hire the candidate.

• "Social networking is a great way to make connections with potential job opportunities and promote your personal brand across the Internet” Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder

Source: Career Builder - http://ow.ly/2262s

What are they looking for?

• A good feel for the candidate’s personality and fit – 50%

• Supported candidate’s professional qualifications – 39%

• Creativity – 38%

• Solid communication skills – 35%

• Candidate was well-rounded – 33%

• Other people posted good references about the candidate – 19%

• Awards and accolades – 15%

Source: Career Builder - http://ow.ly/2262s

The last two people we hired had made a positive impression with their social media profiles. From our point of view it was less about selection on the basis of the profile as it was confirming what we got from the CV and covering letter... and getting a broader picture about the person - their sense of humour etc. and seeing how we would fit. In one case a blog also alerted us to other problems that had been glossed over elsewhere.

Real life case study, local marketing strategist at a PR consultancy

Getting it right

• Google yourself regularly – use alerts

• Check your privacy settings

• Choose your friends carefully

• Think about what you share

• Monitor tags & comments

• Think long-term – where might you be in 3, 5 or 10 years time?

Going further...

• The VCP Rule

• Treat your online presence as an online CV

• Demonstrate your expertise

• Start networking

• Do your own research

Practical Tips

• Get your CV Online – LinkedIn

• Start a Blog – Wordpress / Posterous

• Edit your Friends List – Facebook

• Tweet wisely – Twitter

• Comment on relevant content – Web

• Make connections now - Everywhere

More info...

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