Five Overlooked Digital Footprints That Can Hurt Your Reputation
In an age where most information you seek can be found on the Internet, it makes you wonder- is there such a thing as online privacy? The answer to this question is of course complicated. While it is true that there is no guarantee that someone willingly cannot access your information, there are ways to protect yourself and your image from getting a bad rep online.
Since avoiding the Internet is no longer an option if you expect to demonstrate proficiency to a potential employer, it is imperative that you use caution and sense before posting any content on the web. After all, creating a positive online presence can be highly rewarding to your profession, but a negative online presence can do the complete opposite to your career. Consider this- if today an employer were to google your name, what would he find? Would this information support or hinder your professional respectability?
According to an article in the Huffington Post, “80% of employers google job seekers before inviting them into an interview” (Job Search Tips). And unsurprisingly, employers may continue to check your online activity after you’ve been hired to avoid costly mistakes to their company. By now, you might have heard about the frequency in referencing Facebook accounts or other social media sites prior to hiring, but a common mistake is to assume that that is the only place to search. Here’s a list of five digital footprints often checked by employers and all-too-often overlooked by employees that could potentially hurt your reputation:
#1- YouTube
Similar to social media sites, YouTube gives people the opportunity to communicate through video sharing and discussion. As you visit the site, a history of videos you’ve watched, liked, or subscribed to gets generated and becomes available to anyone that visits your account, unless you specifically set it to private. Like images, professional or home-made videos can easily be found offensive or be misinterpreted; therefore, use your best judgement.
#2- Comments
Most websites provide the option to leave a comment under a shared article, image, product, or video. Unfortunately, many individuals use this tool to vent, argue, or express disapproval, often insulting others and starting an online war. Obviously, you wouldn’t want a potential employer to read such comments, so the best advice is to avoid participating in these conflicts all together.
#3- Product Reviews
Like comments, if you choose to share a product review online, make sure to do so in a respectful manner; whether or not it is a positive or negative review.
#4- Tagged Images
Just when you thought you were in the clear, you realize that a friend has tagged you in a not-so-professional image or content. The good news is that you can prevent this from ever happening by simply requesting notification and approval before someone can tag you, or opting out all together from this tool under your account settings.
#5- Usernames
Often, when creating a username or email address, we tend to personalize our accounts to showcase our interests. While there is nothing particularly wrong with this, you should, however, consider how your name may be perceived by a professional. As you know, emails are one of the most common ways for an employer to communicate with a potential employee. Therefore, avoid using personal nicknames or cool adjectives, and stick to your full name or initials instead.
Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-p-joyce/job-search-tips_b_4834361.html
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