This document discusses protecting your online reputation in the digital age. It notes that employers are increasingly researching candidates online and that inappropriate or unprofessional online content can negatively impact hiring decisions or current employment. Specific risks like badmouthing employers, inappropriate photos, or evidence of illegal activity are outlined. The document provides tips for managing online profiles and digital footprints, such as regularly checking what information employers could find online, using privacy settings carefully, and considering one's online presence as a long-term digital resume.

1. Protecting your
reputation in the digital age
Aren Grimshaw
Tonick Media

2. Introduction
• Why worry about your reputation?
• The Good, the bad and the ugly...
• Protecting your reputation
• Going further
• Practical Tips

3. Why worry about your reputation?
• It may be your first impression
• It can undermine your CV / interview
• It may get you in trouble with the law
• It may lose you your job
• It may cost you a lot more
• It could be permanent!

4. What are we talking about?
• Your Facebook Profile
• Your Twitter Account
• Your LinkedIn Profile
• Your Personal Blogs
• Any Comments you’ve left
• Anything available in the public domain

5. Why should I worry?
• 45% of Employers Use Social Networking Sites
to Research Job Candidates
• Another 11% plan to start doing so
• 35% of employers reported they have found
content that caused them not to hire the
candidate
Source: Career Builder - http://ow.ly/2262s

6. The Bad...
• Inappropriate photographs / info - 53%
• Content about drinking or drugs usage - 44%
• Bad-mouthing previous employer, co-workers or
clients – 35%
• Poor communication skills – 29%
• Discriminatory comments – 26%
• Lies about qualifications – 24%
• Confidential info from previous employer – 20%
Source: Career Builder - http://ow.ly/2262s

7. Status Updates

8. Status Updates

9. Photos – caught at the wrong time
...Family emergency?

10. Group Memberships

11. Comments

12. Evidence of Illegal Activity

13. Watch Other People!!

14. Sometime people forget it is a public domain and many people
(quite often the wrong ones) can see what you write. I
remember sounding off last year about the loss I was making
on fuel in the company cars. I said nothing untrue but it was a
bit blunt and it fell into the wrong hands and I got an official
warning for it. I never even thought about it being a public
domain. I was just angry and voicing off. Been very careful
ever since!
Real life case study, local advertising sales representative

15. Getting it right
• 18% of employers reported they have found
content on social networking sites that caused
them to hire the candidate.
• "Social networking is a great way to make
connections with potential job opportunities
and promote your personal brand across the
Internet” Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder
Source: Career Builder - http://ow.ly/2262s

16. What are they looking for?
• A good feel for the candidate’s personality and fit – 50%
• Supported candidate’s professional qualifications – 39%
• Creativity – 38%
• Solid communication skills – 35%
• Candidate was well-rounded – 33%
• Other people posted good references about the candidate – 19%
• Awards and accolades – 15%
Source: Career Builder - http://ow.ly/2262s

17. The last two people we hired had made a positive impression
with their social media profiles. From our point of view it was
less about selection on the basis of the profile as it was
confirming what we got from the CV and covering letter... and
getting a broader picture about the person - their sense of
humour etc. and seeing how we would fit. In one case a blog
also alerted us to other problems that had been glossed over
elsewhere.
Real life case study, local marketing strategist at a PR consultancy

18. Getting it right
• Google yourself regularly – use alerts
• Check your privacy settings
• Choose your friends carefully
• Think about what you share
• Monitor tags & comments
• Think long-term – where might you be in 3, 5
or 10 years time?

19. Going further...
• The VCP Rule
• Treat your online presence as an online CV
• Demonstrate your expertise
• Start networking
• Do your own research

20. Practical Tips
• Get your CV Online – LinkedIn
• Start a Blog – Wordpress / Posterous
• Edit your Friends List – Facebook
• Tweet wisely – Twitter
• Comment on relevant content – Web
• Make connections now - Everywhere

21. More info...
Google me...
Search for...“aren grimshaw”
Send me a message, connect, keep in touch...