Your online presence, jobs and the workplace in the UK.
Introduction
By taking precautions to maintain a professional image of your online presence when applying for jobs or while working, you can avoid risks. In this era where technology allows access to everything, it is important to be cautious with online sharing.
In the 21st century technology age, your online activity is significant. Employers review social media and online platforms before interviews during the hiring process, and your online posts can shape or distort your career. Here’s a careful dive into why your social media and online presence follow you from job applications to the workplace and how to navigate the digital wave to shape your future career or maintain your career shape in your current job.
Online Presence: Elephant Memory
After sharing content online, you are placing it into the memory of the online world. Even if you delete these shares, they won’t be erased. Social media applications, blogs, and comments you make on posts will be cached versions or screenshots that can unexpectedly appear before you. The existence of these shares can lead to lasting consequences for you when employers examine your online presence.
Why do employers pay attention to your online presence?
Job-personality fit:
Employers use social media as a tool to learn about your personality. Appropriate posts, polite language, and respectful discussions signal a green light for you, while the opposite can turn into a red light.
Corporate values:
Employers expect employers or candidates to align with corporate values and rules or to act accordingly.
Internal communication:
Employers examine whether you use inappropriate language or aggressive approaches in your social media posts to assess your suitability for communication with colleagues within the organisation.
Professionalism:
Employers consider candidates who demonstrate professional behaviour online as potential hires.
Tips for Swimming in the Digital Wave and your Online Presence
Browse Before You Share:
Think twice before sharing visuals or text. Be careful not to use incorrect or aggressive language. Correct your mistakes.
Share Career-Related Content:
You can include visuals related to your chosen sectors in your posts, which shows how much you value your career/profession.
The Importance of Privacy:
Avoid including personal images in your posts.
Privacy:
Privacy is an important point to prevent your posts from spreading. Set your settings so that only your family and friends can see them.
Professional Profile:
You can use LinkedIn, a social media platform that employers often review. Here, you can showcase your education, experiences, and credentials to highlight your professionalism.
Avoid Controversy:
The most important behaviour in online presence is to refrain from sharing divisive topics such as politics, religion, and opinions, and to avoid engaging in mutual dialogue. This can negatively affect employers' views of you.
Email Address:
Your email address is an important point in job applications. When creating your email, use your first and last name clearly instead of a nickname. This will help you appear more professional.
Pay Attention To What You Like:
The posts you like on social media reflect your thoughts. This shapes employers' perceptions of you. Therefore, avoid liking aggressive or inappropriate posts, or else you may not be signing a work contract.
Conclusion
Although your online presence may seem insignificant, it is crucial for your career. In this age of advancing technology, by managing your posts professionally and navigating the waves of the online world, you can dive into your career. Remember - your posts are like ghosts in the online world, they can resurface even if you delete them and affect your career, but acting professionally can also help you achieve positive results from your posts, and earn the salary you aim for.