Maintaining an edge over other candidates is of chief concern for every job seeker. Some gain an advantage by submitting well-crafted application materials, while others set themselves apart with insightful responses during the interview. Increasingly, though, individuals searching for employment are using a different tool: the Internet.
With personal Web sites, blogs, social-networking site profiles, message board posts and newsgroup comments all floating in cyberspace, you can use the Web to present a hiring manager with a wealth of information about your professional qualifications with just a few clicks of the mouse. The key is maintaining a positive online presence. Here’s how:
Leverage the Web
You can act as your own public relations agent by launching a polished and professional Web site or blog related to your career. Post your résumé and links to any industry association articles that you have authored or been quoted in, and reference noteworthy accomplishments or speaking engagements. By highlighting your communication abilities and showing that you track industry news and trends, you can position yourself as a leader in the field, build a positive Web presence and better market your skills to employers.
When applying for an opening, note your URL in your job-application materials and direct hiring managers to the information you most want them to view.
Also consider that some prospective employers may stumble upon online information related to you on their own. So make sure what they discover paints a positive portrait of your professional life. Web sites like Ziggs and ZoomInfo allow you to create your own profile and are popular destinations for hiring managers.
Another good idea is to join a professional association. Some allow you to post your contact information. Becoming a member of a board, presenting at association gatherings and maintaining an active presence in the organization are other ways to ensure your name is referenced in a favorable light on the Internet.
Get Search Savvy
Do you know everything the Internet has to say about you? Seek and ye shall find — type your name into a search engine. If you have a common name, refine the search by placing your name in quotation marks, or add your middle initial, hometown, profession or former employer. Also, be sure to check multiple search engines, as results can vary. Your goal is for references that speak positively about you to appear near the top of the results.
Understand What You’re Up Against
As many job seekers have discovered, the Internet can be an unforgiving place. For instance, you may be unpleasantly surprised to find a link to a controversial editorial you submitted to a newspaper years ago, an unfiltered rant you hastily posted on an online bulletin board in college or unflattering photographs taken at the end of a wild company party. In cases where unsettling personal references seem to be permanent online fixtures, plan to discuss the topic in a job interview. While your online transgressions might not come up, it certainly helps to be prepared just in case.
Going forward, be mindful that digital damage is often self-inflicted. If you have a Web site, blog or a profile on social-networking sites like MySpace or Friendster, review every piece of information you present about yourself. Questionable content might include confession booth-like commentaries detailing personal exploits, politically incorrect or risqué humor, or even seemingly innocuous beach vacation photos. If you’ve posted information that could be detrimental to your job search, hit the delete button and exercise more discretion in the future.
It’s critical that today’s professionals routinely conduct online self-searches, and then seek opportunities to build positive references. Taking a proactive approach to managing your Web presence could help you leap past other applicants and create greater career options for yourself.
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