This presentation introduces the basics of digital identity / online presence for high school age students through young professionals. It's a great primer before a LinkedIn workshop or class.

1. MANAGING YOUR DIGITAL IDENTITY
LOOKING AWESOME ONLINE

2. WHAT IS YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE?
Whatever others can find out about
you from online sources.

3. WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?
35-50% of employers conduct online
pre-interviews to learn more about
you before an interview.

4. WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?
• To see if you present yourself professionally
• To see if you’re a good fit for company culture
• To learn more about your qualifications
• To see if you’re well-rounded
• To see if there are reasons not to hire you

5. WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION MIGHT BE
CONCERNING?
• Provocative or inappropriate photos
• Information about alcohol and drug use
• Poor communication skills
• Bad-mouthing a previous employer
• Discriminatory remarks about others’ race, gender, or religion
• Evidence of misrepresenting job qualifications

6. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
RESEARCH

7. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
REDUCE
NEGATIVES

8. WHAT CAN YOU DO?
ENHANCE
POSITIVES

9. GOOGLE YOURSELF
• Add your city or middle name if you have a common name
• Focus on the top ten results – what do they say about you?
RESEARCH
“I’m an upstanding citizen.”
“I like to party.”
“I don’t exist.”

10. BRAND YOURSELF
• Set up a free profile on www.brandyourself.com
• Focus on the top ten results – what do they say about you?
RESEARCH

11. IMPROVE WHAT’S OUT THERE
• Facebook
• View your account as Public
• Delete incriminating posts or pictures
• Untag yourself in photos or ask others to take them down
• For future posts, make sure you’re posting to Friends, not Public
• (And keep them appropriate)
REDUCE
NEGATIVES

12. IMPROVE WHAT’S OUT THERE
• Twitter
• Delete tweets
• Instagram
• Delete photos
• Make profile private (Edit Profile > Posts are Private)
REDUCE
NEGATIVES

13. IMPROVE WHAT’S OUT THERE
• Newspaper articles / blog posts
• Find the source – newspaper, blogger, friend – and ask them to remove it
• Be prepared to answer questions
REDUCE
NEGATIVES

14. SHOWCASE YOUR STRENGTHS!
• Start a blog!
• Start profiles on other social media
• Google+ is especially powerful
• About.me
ENHANCE
POSITIVES

15. LINKED IN
• It isn’t just Boring Facebook
ENHANCE
POSITIVES