Create and Manage Your Online Reputation

Create and Manage Your Online Reputation

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  networking Basics With practice comes improvement. ever hear the phrase, “fake it ‘till you make it?” no one needs to know that you’re nervous or that you’ve never done this before. on Managing Your Online Reputation the other hand, if it makes you more comfortable, feel free to tell people this is new for you. it’s okay. even after years You know that employers use the Internet to research potential job of practice, introducing yourself to someone new can feel candidates. Thus, a necessary part of any job or internship search is risky. But it is worth it. Students we talk to most commonly to create and maintain a positive online reputation. Use the following say that their level of nervousness far exceeded the actual task, and that the conversation was fun! Just remember steps to move from damage control towards proactive ownership of that almost any interpersonal encounter can be an opportu- your online first impression. nity for intentional networking. • Know yourself: skills, interests, values, personality, Increase Your Awareness. Be sure you know what information and accomplishments. is or could be available about yourself online, where it is, and what • Make a list of your current relationships— impression it may create. personal, professional, academic, and beyond. add • Search your name (and different versions of it) on the major duke alums to your list! your first-degree contacts search engines, on different social networks, and sites where will be instrumental in connecting you with other you comment. A few not-so-obvious sites to check: Tumblr, people you do not yet know, your second-degree Netflix, Flickr, Match, Delicious, Amazon, Yelp. contacts. • Know the privacy agreement and settings for the various • Do not discount individuals because you think they online communities of which you are a member. do not know the right people. they do not need • Request feedback from peers and professionals on to be in the area you are pursuing to have valuable impressions based your online presence alone. Would they relationships to share. hire you? Why or why not? • Create a plan for reaching out to your first-degree • Familiarize yourself with sites where your potential colleagues contacts and for keeping track of your communica- or supervisors gather and participate online. tions. you might want to start with people who seem to have the closest connections to your interest area or with those whom you feel most comfortable Protect Your Image. Ensure potential employers only see with. either way will work. the point is to create a information that conveys a positive image. You do not want them to plan you can act on! question your professionalism, judgment, or ability to represent their • Do your homework. learn a little bit about each organization. person you contact (profession, current projects, • Adjust the privacy settings for all online accounts. company, relevant personal information, etc.). use • Remove content and tags that could negatively influence a the power of the internet to your advantage. potential employer’s first impression. • Draft and practice your opening communication • Hide or delete old accounts that do not best represent you. (verbal introduction, email, etc). discuss this with a • Request that information about you posted by others be friend, career advisor, or someone from your Board removed if you are opposed to it. of advisors (Page ##). • Make your move! Send an email or letter first; follow Build a Professional Presence. Present your name, with a phone call. or simply Call! assign yourself a accomplishments, and aspirations in ways that can be accessible to daily quota. Be persistent but not pushy. others. • Follow up! Call again within a week if you receive no • Use social networks to create and maintain a public profile response. arrange a meeting in person or by phone. that represents your accomplishments and a sense of the ask for 30 to 45 minutes only. you could get even professional you are becoming and you are comfortable with luckier! the public seeing. • Set the tone. Know and explain why you are calling • Display a copy of your resume and a portfolio of your and what you hope to learn (industry information, accomplishments online. career exploration, job search advice, graduate or • Promote your profiles and/or website, e.g., add a link to your professional school guidance, etc.) you are not ask- ing for a job! email signature. • Contribute to conversations relevant to your fields of interest • Ask for referrals. one of your most important ques- tions is, “Whom do you recommend i contact for through media like blogs, LinkedIn groups, and/or Twitter. additional information?” • Send a thank-you note within 48 hours! email is oK! Own Your Presence. Assert greater control of your online identity a personal letter can be very effective, too! by owning it yourself. • Maintain connections. nurture the relationships by • Create a personal website that serves as a professional staying in touch and letting them know where you resume and portfolio. Update this regularly with new content. land! • Continue your activities online and watch your name and • Be patient. networking yields results that often accu- professional identity become more prominent in search mulate over time. never stop networking! engines. Set a goal to take over the whole first page of Google when someone searches your name. 25 25