SUCCEED WITH STYLE: Are You a Digital Disaster?

SUCCEED WITH STYLE: Are You a Digital Disaster?

Executive recruiters use Facebook and other social media outlets to find out as much as they can about you before and after interviewing you. Did you know that 82% of 386 college admissions officers claim that their respective schools use Facebook to recruit prospective students*? You’ve heard the stories of companies rescinding offers based on the “digital dirt” they find on prospective candidates.

It’s clear that social media has dramatically changed the way we communicate, network, shop and conduct a job search. Social media experts say if you can’t be found through Google, then you don’t exist. Pretty harsh, isn’t it? The good news is you have control over your online image just as you have control over your physical image. The key is making sure they both tell the story you want, are consistent and stand out. Now that just about everyone is online, ignoring your online presence will only hinder your future success. First impressions matter online as well as in person.

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So how do you want to be viewed by the World? Have you Googled yourself lately? Are you digitally distinct or a digital disaster? Most people end up somewhere in between. Those individuals who focus on their online presence and image are the ones who become digitally distinct and gain an advantage over their peers.

Here are some tips to start you on the right path:

1. Do your homework. Evaluate where you stand today. Google your name and see what content shows up. Do it every few weeks to ensure the content is pure- meaning it is relevant and it’s content you want associated with your name. There may be 10 people with your same name. Make sure you eliminate any content that isn’t related to you.

2. Eliminate any “digital dirt” you may find about yourself. This includes inappropriate photos, derogatory blog comments or any content you don’t want tied to your name.

3. Determine which social media outlets will work best for you. You don’t need be on all of them but you do need to develop a presence. Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter are the most common but there are many more. Once you figure out where you want to be, then the visuals and content need to be consistent across all mediums.

4. Invest in a professional headshot. It’s the first impression someone receives when viewing your profile.

5. Find your voice. Start writing and posting content or videos about your business or industry. Join groups and comment on blogs and or articles that others have written. Remember it’s about quality of content not quantity.

6. Begin thinking about your personal brand. What do you want to be known for in your industry? What sets you apart from your peers? Begin communicating these messages through your social media outlets.

Following these six tips help boost a positive online presence and are key steps to becoming digitally distinct.

Margaret Batting is the Corporate Style expert for GoLocalProv.com. Margaret is the owner and president of Elevé Image Consulting and the only certified image consultant and personal brand strategist in Rhode Island. She travels the country as the national corporate image consultant for CareerBuilder and serves as the style advisor liaison for Dress for Success Rhode Island, which will hold a fashion show fundraiser at the Biltmore on April 28. For more information, visit www.eleve-style.com.

* (Kaplan 2010)