The importance of a good personal online presence during a job search

Job hunting can be a stressful process. Especially in a bad economy. 

It seems like every week, companies are laying off thousands of employees at a time. Twitter, Facebook, Google, and the latest victim Amazon is set to lay off 10,000 employees just in time for the holidays. 

In today's job market, employers are using LinkedIn and Google to research potential candidates before the interview process. 

In fact, 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to scout new employees.

The information they find can make a huge difference in whether or not they decide to work with you. If you are worried about your employers doing a Google name search on you, start managing your online reputation. Here’s how. 

How does your online presence help you in the job market?

If a job recruiter Googled you or located you on social media, what would they find? A personal website? A LinkedIn profile, an Instagram page? Nothing? (maybe a bunch of other people with the same name as you?) This is something you should be thinking about if you’re looking for a job.

Your online profile can tell more about you that your resume. Your resume is a historical record of your accomplishments, skills, and work history. Your resume doesn't reveal to employers who you are and what you want from your life.

Your online presence and social media profiles can be your own branding. So, why is your online presence important for your career?

Your online presence is the act of marketing yourself, your business, and your career in order to attract new opportunities. This is known as career branding.

You can't afford to spend time applying for jobs and graduate school in today's highly competitive academic and employment markets. Before you meet someone, your first impressions are formed. Your online reputation can often precede in-person meetings or interviews, just like the old saying "your reputation precedes you."

3 Benefits of a professional online presence

Setting you apart from the competition

Employers value their time, which is understandable. Employers won't waste their time on candidates who don’t have an active online presence. You can ignore this fact at any cost. A profile that is "missing in action", weak, or shows a lack of care can lead to you losing out. You may not have updated your profile in over a year.

You don't have the time or energy to present yourself professionally where potential employers will see you, so why should they bother?

Your social media profiles may be viewed by employers for different reasons. Employers may look at your profile to remind you of any positions you have held and how qualified as long as you maintain a strong social media presence.

It highlights your interests and hobbies

Potential employers may Google you for many reasons. It is a quick way to screen potential applicants. Employers can quickly search for your hobbies, interests, and current activities. Employers are looking for potential negative content at this stage of the hiring process. Employers will not hesitate to interview you if you have an online presence that is professional and clear.

It makes it easy to find you

An online presence allows you to reach a wider audience. A strong online presence will allow you to reach a larger audience no matter where they may be located. Recruiters can easily find you from anywhere in the world, and they can learn everything you want them to know about you straight from your profiles.

In today’s digital world, standing out as a prime candidate is easier if you have a strong online presence. 

How to start building your online presence

You can build an online presence by making a small commitment to remain consistent. We often hold ourselves back from reaching a goal because it seems impossible to start. You won't be able to build a strong online presence if you don't start.

The more prepared and organized you are the easier the process of finding a job will become. The importance of having a good personal online presence has never been more apparent. 

NewReputation has helped thousands of individuals manage their online reputation. To learn more about NewReputation, and the additional benefits of online reputation management, contact us today for a free consultation.