Any time you apply for a new position, you can be sure of one thing; if you are being considered for an interview, you will be Googled. It is important to know what recruiters and hiring managers will find when they look you up online. Take the time to manage your online brand and reputation if you want to make a good impression.
Decide What You Want to Be Known For
What do you want prospective employers to know about you? Do you want to focus on a specific niche or are you more of a generalist? Determine what you want to be known for and make sure your online activities reinforce that brand.
Focus on LinkedIn
A robust and active LinkedIn profile is essential for building your online brand and reputation. Spend a little time every day enhancing your profile, collecting recommendations, recommending others, growing connections, participating in groups and sharing content from yourself and thought leaders in your niche. LinkedIn is the easiest platform on which to create a strong reputation; it’s also the platform where you are most likely to see return on your investment of time.
Fill in the Gaps
Take a look at your resume and your LinkedIn profile. Are there gaps in employment from a layoff or a personal life event? You must be able to fill in these gaps for hiring managers who are researching you online. Make sure to show you kept your skills sharp by taking classes, achieving a certification, freelancing, etc.
Protect Your Privacy
Make your personal social media accounts 100 percent private. Hiring managers don’t need to know about your annual trip to Vegas, what you eat for lunch or your political beliefs. If you want to show up in search results, create new, professional accounts on social platforms where you share content and participate in communities.
Quantify Your Achievements
In an interview, you have the luxury of elaborating on your achievements. Hiring managers reading your online profiles must make fast judgments and assessments. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements with hard, verifiable data on LinkedIn and any online resumes you post.
Generate Thoughtful Online Content
A professional blog, articles published on LinkedIn and thoughtful participation in online forums and groups shows you are a true expert in your field. Each time you create new content, it also enhances your online brand and reputation.
Google Yourself
Make sure to check in occasionally to see what hiring managers find when they Google your name. The more active you are at managing your online reputation, the more impressive the results will be.
If you are an engineer or tech professional in the southeastern region of the U.S. seeking new opportunities to grow your career, contact the recruiting experts at Selectek today.
