Maintaining a Positive Online Presence Kathleen E. High, M. Ed. Education & Career Consultant Dream Chasers & Goal Setters

Why Worry About Your Online Presence? Online Presence gives others an impression of you Once information is online, anyone can access it Online information is difficult to remove People judge you for what they find: Employers Colleges Prospective dates Family, friends and other social groups Financial – loan processors, etc. If you are not online, you may be perceived as ‘technologically illiterate’ 50-80% of today’s 2-year-olds have an online presence Experts expect Online Presence to replace résumés in 10 years Posting someone else’s private information could result in legal problems.

Imagine: You are the: Boss Hiring Manager Teacher College Recruiter Parent Pastor/Clergy Mortgage Loan Agent How would you respond to the following posts? facebook-status-updates

What Other People See In Your Behavior Addicted?

What is “Online Presence”? Social Networking (personal and professional) Photos and videos Professional address Web domains – Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, etc. There are age-related stereo types about who uses what server Blogs – posting & responding Personal Branding Visual appeal (graphic design) Additional items: Voice Mail Text messaging

Current Trends/Controversies Big Picture: Social Networking is a new phenomenon that is growing very rapidly Trends and technology come and go Can’t anticipate problems that will result from new activities such as social networking Laws have not caught up with technology Too much “private” information is readily available through an online search engines and re-posts

Current Trends/Controversies Institutions’ Perspective: Associates (employees, students, prospective employees, etc.) use online inappropriately, which affects the institution: Embarrass or compromise the institution’s reputation Reveal confidential information Abuse their work time for personal use Reveal character/integrity flaws Use institutional resources for illegal activities Reveals illegal activity Want to monitor associate use (for reasons above) Want to know if future students/employees will be a good fit Concern that information found could make them vulnerable to lawsuits (discrimination, etc.) Could be held liable when associate does something illegal, and they knew about it through online monitoring Need to have “appropriate use” policies in place, but may not Security Clearance related positions have higher standards

Current Trends/Controversies Individuals’ Perspective: Individuals have a right to privacy. Do they violate it by posting online? Should employers, schools, churches, etc. have a right to monitor? How much information should they have access to? If yes, how do they gain access? Should you give out your passwords to prospective employers?

What is “Personal Branding”? Similar to product branding or company branding A unified, consistent message and image about your personal character, professional aspirations, and what makes you stand out. General (visual) Consistent look (logo, color palette, fonts, layout style, etc.) Consistent, professional photos Tagline Online: Social Media – multiple sites (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) Website (including personalized domain) Address Blogs – Posts & Reposts Offline: Elevator Pitch Business Cards Résumés

So What Can You Do to Control Your Online Presence? Use social networks strategically Search your name via Google or other search engine Check “public records” (court documents & property ownership) Check credit rating (for certain jobs) Use a social media search tool: Clean up any questionable material Untag yourself in friends’ unflattering photos or ask them to remove Restrict your privacy settings Profile, Contacts, Applications & Websites, Search Engines Have lists of friends (family, work, friends, school, etc.) Create two Facebook (or other) Accounts One for personal use One for professional use Be selective about what you post: If you don’t want your boss to know, don’t post it.

Use Social Networks Strategically Social Networking Types - Use them strategically Personal Share pictures, videos and personal updates Blogging Be mindful of privacy settings Business To promote and conduct your business Job Search For networking and job search Employment To network and “brand” yourself

Develop Your “Personal Brand” Clarify your ‘Bio statement’ Paragraph version 1-sentence version (Mission statement, dream job, tag line, etc.) Identify what makes you professionally unique Create an elevator pitch Have at least one professional photo Be consistent across social media sites Images Facts Personal Brand “Message” Join professional groups Engage in professional dialogs Comment on other professional’s posts and articles

Use Only Professional Pictures Use Professional Photos Current – It still looks like you, clearly shows your face Flattering “head shot”, smiling Well-groomed, minimal make-up & jewelry Professional attire (interview appropriate) Use professional photographer Retail Portrait Studios

What If They Ask? What do you do if a current or prospective employer asks for access? Know Your Rights Ask for a Waiver If Job Requires Security Clearance, Compliance is Probably Best Know your rights. Ask for a waiver, and ask them to sign a form stating that they will be held liable for anything that happens. If its a job that requires security clearance, ask for the waiver, sign it and just let them do what they are going to do.

Resources for Creating a Positive Online Presence Personal Branding / Professional Branding ml m your-personal-brand/2/ Job Search Privacy Checks Presence Management Chores could-do-every-day/ Hot Topics In Pre-employment Screening screening-part-ii Use Social Media Tutorials