Your ‘Career’ Digital Footprint

As almost all employers will check your social media, it’s important to find out all the information about you that’s available on the internet as it will have a major impact on any employer’s decisions.

Instead of just assuming that your digital footprint is clean, put your name into Google to see what comes up. Some photo’s you thought were gone years ago may still be there or worse still, an old profile or comment you wouldn’t want your employer to see may still be there! You cannot be too careful with this so always carry out a Google check at regular intervals.

Have a think about keeping your personal accounts private or use an alternative name so that employers find it difficult to find you online.

If you have a Facebook, twitter or Instagram account(s) – create a separate professional account with your proper name. Use a nickname or alternative name for your personal account which means, when the employer searches for you – it will lead them directly to your professional account rather than your personal one.

Be mindful of any photos, comments, responses or shares … you never know who might be looking at them.

It’s important to be smart about your digital footprint when it comes to job seeking so put the effort in now, and it will most definitely pay off.