This document provides advice for students on managing their digital presence and online brands during a job or college application process. It notes that admissions officers and employers often look at social media profiles and search online for candidates. It recommends that students clean up their online profiles, set appropriate privacy settings, and create a consistent "personal brand" that presents them in a positive light. A three-step process is outlined: clean up profiles, define the brand you want to project, and promote that brand online through channels like Twitter, blogs, and carefully-managed social media. Students are advised to only post content they wouldn't mind their mothers seeing and to think before posting anything online.

1. Essential keys to the digital job search hustler420@yahoo.com So, about that college application? sxxycutie4eva@aol.com

2. Ask the Audience Would you send any of those photos along with your college application? Would you sign your name, “Sexy 4 Eva”? What about for a job application?

3. If you’re online… 20% of admissions counselors admit to looking at candidates’ Facebook profiles More than that admit to Googling candidates Everyone sees your e-mail address

4. Does it matter? Emory University tour guides friend students, and profiles affect admissions decisions Admissions denied at Reed College because of “disparaging blog posts”

5. Bottom line What you post isn’t private, and deleting it doesn’t make it go away

6. But… You can use that to your advantage You can make your own online identity (called a “personal brand”)

7. That’s what I did Now I’m a social media strategist at OptimalResume.co I blogged and tweeted my way to a job

8. How does that apply to you? Create a personal brand that attracts, rather than repels, college admissions offices

9. Step 1: Clean up Facebook privacy settings Clean profile picture Untag incriminating photos First.last@gmail.com Delete offensive blog posts What else?

10. Step 2: Create your “brand” How do you want to be known? Smart? Tech-savvy? Artsy? Want colleges to think, “That person will contribute to our campus”

11. Step 3: Take your brand online Twitter website/blog What about Facebook?

12. What do you say? Write what interests you…within reason Follow the “Mom Rule” — If you wouldn’t want your mom to see it, don’t post it

13. Getting started Twitter handle – use firstlast (i.e. kellygiles) Bio – something smart Picture – a nice headshot, if you want one End your tweets with #ncsmi so you can track the conversation

14. Last words Think before you post.

15. Questions? Kelly Giles, Social Media Strategist KellyG@OptimalResume.com