SOCIAL WEB
Employers and recruiters routinely check out people online to see if their application forms are thruthful, and whether there is more information about them on the web than they have supplied in their CV or application letter. A quick search on google, or using a people search engine like pipl.com can yield a much better insight into what a job applicant is really like, showing details of who their friends are, and their social interests.
• Jobsearch need not be an individual activity if you get your whole social network on your side, helping find each other new career opportunities. The people in your network can be an invaluable source of help, advice and referrals. Tell your network about your jobsearch activities, ask for referrals.
• Tell others about opportunities you find which you think might interest them. For example if you find out about a new company opening in your town, it may not offer the type of work you are looking for, but it may be of interest to someone in your network, or their family, neighbours or friends.
• It’s not a good idea to say bad things about your work or employer on your social web profile.
• Check the privacy settings on your social network accounts, and think about what you want to be public, and what you’d prefer to be private between you and your close friends and family.
• Some employers keep tabs on their employee’s social web activities, and those who bring their company into disrepute are sometimes sacked as a result of what they say online. Sometimes what you think is a joke, or amusing photograph might be perceived differently by your boss, co-workers, or others in your company.
• Some subjects are best avoided on your social web profile (and also where you comment or are mentioned on other people’s sites) as they can give the wrong impression to a recruiter. References to drugs, alcohol, sex, illegal activities and extremist views (e.g. racism/sexism/homophobia) are all likely to influence recruiters negatively.
• Check what people will find if they search for you on google or pipl.com. If you find things you’d prefer employers not to see, take steps to remove content or ask friends to remove (e.g. drunken party photographs) from their sites. Photographs are a common feature of search results for people, so you may want to review what photos come up in results, and post new, more appropriate photographs online if necessary.
DEVELOPING A POSITIVE WEB PRESENCE
One of the best ways to increase your positive web presence is to start a blog using your real name, and write about topics which reflect your career interests. Search engines like google index blog articles, so the more articles you write the more frequently you will appear in search results for your name. Don’t be surprised if you turn up at interview and are asked a question about your previous blog posts.
Check sites and resources on the topic of “Personal Branding”, which offer advice and tips on how to develop and improve your online presence and reputation.
Respond to other people’s postings in blogs or discussion forums, on newspaper or professional journal or professional body websites, where you have something thoughtful and useful to add to discussions.
Ask or answer questions in Q&A sites like Yahoo Answers, or within Linkedin. This type of activity can help you promote yourself and your interests, and link you to others with similar interests in your chosen industry.
INTERNET SAFETY
• Be careful with your personal information. Don’t publish your CV publicly on the web with your full address, telephone number and email address.
• Don’t arrange to meet people you’ve only met through a discussion forum or social web site.
• For advice on safe web use for young people visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk.
• There are unfortunately some employment related scams around and if you receive unexpected job offers at enormous salaries, from people you don’t know, for jobs you’ve not applied for, it’s most likely spam or some kind of scam. Ask your adviser if you are unsure about an opportunity.
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