Idiom Strategies© 2010

Build An Online Profile

Express Who You Are & Increase Your Career Options.

What We’ll Be Covering

o Defining an Online Profile• Where online profiles exist.• Why you should care about having an online profile.

o How an Online Profile Can Benefit Your Career• What to avoid so your profile doesn’t harm your career.

o Building Your Online Profile• Personal and professional goals help define your optimal

online profile.• Nobody said it would be easy.

o Defining an Online Profile• Where online profiles exist.• Why you should care about having an online profile.

o How an Online Profile Can Benefit Your Career• What to avoid so your profile doesn’t harm your career.

o Building Your Online Profile• Personal and professional goals help define your optimal

online profile.• Nobody said it would be easy.

Idiom Strategies© 2010

Idiom Strategies© 2010

What’s an Online Profile?

Why you should care.Why you should have one.

What’s an Online Profile?

o It’s You, in Digital Form.• As much or as little as you want to share

Personal Details, Contact Information & Calendars

Images, Videos & Audio Files Communications & Documents Lifestyle Information Social Media & Web 2.0 Networks,

Accounts, Communities

• What others share about you• Information you “claim” or “tag”

o Your Online participation

o It’s You, in Digital Form.• As much or as little as you want to share

Personal Details, Contact Information & Calendars

Images, Videos & Audio Files Communications & Documents Lifestyle Information Social Media & Web 2.0 Networks,

Accounts, Communities

• What others share about you• Information you “claim” or “tag”

o Your Online participation

Idiom Strategies© 2010

Where Do Online Profiles Exist?

Idiom Strategies© 2010

o Locations• Websites, Blogs,

Wikis, Microblogs• Social Networks,

Sharing Sites • Online Communities,

Forums, Chat-rooms• Third-Party Software-

as-a-Service Application Providers

• Computers• Mobile Devices (Cell

phones, PDAs, etc.)

Every Network/Site Has You Create a Profile?

Idiom Strategies© 2010

o 1 Person, 1 Set of Personal Details = 1 Online Profile• Multi-Locational• Interconnected Locational Accounts• Static & Dynamic Locations• Free & Paid-for Locations

o Hyperlinked Locations/Accounts = 1 Online Profile

o 1 Person, 1 Set of Personal Details = 1 Online Profile• Multi-Locational• Interconnected Locational Accounts• Static & Dynamic Locations• Free & Paid-for Locations

o Hyperlinked Locations/Accounts = 1 Online Profile

www.hyperlink.com

www.hyperlink.com

www.hyperlink.com

Who Cares About an Online Profile?

o79% of US hiring managers & recruiters look for information about job applicants online.*

*Microsoft commissioned research, December 2009.

o Traditional Resumes Are Outdated• Still a necessity, but to be competitive, today’s job market

requires candidates do more. Drastic increase in job market competition Evolution & availability of technology More industries requiring online skills & mobile device use

o79% of US hiring managers & recruiters look for information about job applicants online.*

*Microsoft commissioned research, December 2009.

o Traditional Resumes Are Outdated• Still a necessity, but to be competitive, today’s job market

requires candidates do more. Drastic increase in job market competition Evolution & availability of technology More industries requiring online skills & mobile device use

Idiom Strategies© 2010

Online Profiles Allow For Online Networkingo Networking is Now More Common Online Than In

Person.• Online networking leads to more job opportunities. • Building online relationships opens the door to other

professional relationships. • Online profiles, networking & social media sites lead to

interesting career & personal growth ideas.

o Networking is Now More Common Online Than In Person.• Online networking leads to more job opportunities. • Building online relationships opens the door to other

professional relationships. • Online profiles, networking & social media sites lead to

interesting career & personal growth ideas.

Idiom Strategies© 2010

Idiom Strategies© 2010

How Can An Online Profile Help Your Career?

Avoid damaging, or flat-out killing, your career online.

The Power of an Online Profile

o Career Benefits of a Well-Executed Online Profile• Potential employers: Can find you, as a potential employee, more easily. See a consistent, positive picture of who you are. Will get a sense of your personality & your work

experience. Can learn more about your career activities & business

connections than a resume can show.• Opportunities find you because you’re now actively

participating in a “searchable” universe, connecting with others.

• An Online Profile shows initiative to current employers.

o Career Benefits of a Well-Executed Online Profile• Potential employers: Can find you, as a potential employee, more easily. See a consistent, positive picture of who you are. Will get a sense of your personality & your work

experience. Can learn more about your career activities & business

connections than a resume can show.• Opportunities find you because you’re now actively

participating in a “searchable” universe, connecting with others.

• An Online Profile shows initiative to current employers.

Idiom Strategies© 2010

How It Can All Go Very Wrong

o Use an Online Profile Wisely• Once it’s online, it’s almost impossible to remove. • Build positive business relationships.• Don’t burn bridges.• Be particular when “friending” people in social networks.

What they say about you, even as a joke, might be seen by a potential employer.

Trust privacy settings, but never trust them 100%.

• Be yourself, but pick the best part of you. Show your personality, but remember that some things don’t

translate well from the spoken to the written word.

o Use an Online Profile Wisely• Once it’s online, it’s almost impossible to remove. • Build positive business relationships.• Don’t burn bridges.• Be particular when “friending” people in social networks.

What they say about you, even as a joke, might be seen by a potential employer.

Trust privacy settings, but never trust them 100%.

• Be yourself, but pick the best part of you. Show your personality, but remember that some things don’t

translate well from the spoken to the written word.

Idiom Strategies© 2010

How It Can All Go Very Wrong

o Why Companies Reject Job Candidates• 70% of hiring managers

have rejected candidates just because of online reputation.

• Stars indicate itemsyou have total onlinecontrol over.

o Why Companies Reject Job Candidates• 70% of hiring managers

have rejected candidates just because of online reputation.

• Stars indicate itemsyou have total onlinecontrol over.

Idiom Strategies© 2010

How It Can All Go Very Wrong

o Just Because It’s There Doesn’t Mean You Need It • Know how features work before you try to use them.• Determine if a social network, forum or online community

is right for you before you sign up. Will it help your career? If it is a personal hobby/interest will it hurt your career? If

so, make sure you are very, very anonymous!

o Just Because It’s There Doesn’t Mean You Need It • Know how features work before you try to use them.• Determine if a social network, forum or online community

is right for you before you sign up. Will it help your career? If it is a personal hobby/interest will it hurt your career? If

so, make sure you are very, very anonymous!

Idiom Strategies© 2010

Idiom Strategies© 2010

Building Your Online Profile

Your personal and professional goals can be helpful.

How Do I Build My Online Profile?

o Research What is Right for You.• Choose a business social network that will give you the most value

for your career field.• Consider your career goals & growth interests. Online industry communities, discussion groups or forums may be

of interest.• Consider short-term objectives. Networking through microblogging or discovering industry

changes/news with social bookmarking/tagging sites might be helpful.

• Promoting your expertise on a blog could be important for you.

o Choose Only What You Have Time to Do.

o Research What is Right for You.• Choose a business social network that will give you the most value

for your career field.• Consider your career goals & growth interests. Online industry communities, discussion groups or forums may be

of interest.• Consider short-term objectives. Networking through microblogging or discovering industry

changes/news with social bookmarking/tagging sites might be helpful.

• Promoting your expertise on a blog could be important for you.

o Choose Only What You Have Time to Do.

Idiom Strategies© 2010

What Else Should I Do?

o Be Consistent & Linked• Be consistent with account/profile/member info. • Use the same Username/Handle in all online locations if possible.• Consider using your real name, a derivative of your name or a self-

defining title that represents your career.• Use the same photo/image/avatar across all online locations.• Add links between all of online locations.

All Online Locations = Your Complete Online Profile!

o Carefully Choose Personal Online Activities. • Link locations that add value.• Make activities that don’t add value for your career, anonymous!

o Be Consistent & Linked• Be consistent with account/profile/member info. • Use the same Username/Handle in all online locations if possible.• Consider using your real name, a derivative of your name or a self-

defining title that represents your career.• Use the same photo/image/avatar across all online locations.• Add links between all of online locations.

All Online Locations = Your Complete Online Profile!

o Carefully Choose Personal Online Activities. • Link locations that add value.• Make activities that don’t add value for your career, anonymous!

Idiom Strategies© 2010

Where Are the Answers? The Instructions?o There’s No Step-by-Step Instructions

• Building an effective online profile is unique for every person.• The right online locations for you are dependent on: Career Field Industry Professional & Personal Goals Career Stage Personal Life & Interests And many other factors.• Individual marketing, online networking and online profile

participation is dependent on: Online Profile Locations Career & Personal Factors.

o There’s No Step-by-Step Instructions• Building an effective online profile is unique for every person.• The right online locations for you are dependent on: Career Field Industry Professional & Personal Goals Career Stage Personal Life & Interests And many other factors.• Individual marketing, online networking and online profile

participation is dependent on: Online Profile Locations Career & Personal Factors.

Idiom Strategies© 2010

This Sounds Really Hard!

o If You’re Familiar with the Online Social World You’re a Step Ahead• There are many online resources to help.• Use Google, Bing, Yahoo or other search engines to find ways to

“Build an online profile” or “Social networking to increase job opportunities.”

o There Are Marketing & Online Technology Coaches Who Can Help• Personal Marketing Consultants can teach you how to create and

build on your online profile and coach you on networking and marketing yourself for new opportunities.

o If You’re Familiar with the Online Social World You’re a Step Ahead• There are many online resources to help.• Use Google, Bing, Yahoo or other search engines to find ways to

“Build an online profile” or “Social networking to increase job opportunities.”

o There Are Marketing & Online Technology Coaches Who Can Help• Personal Marketing Consultants can teach you how to create and

build on your online profile and coach you on networking and marketing yourself for new opportunities.

Idiom Strategies© 2010

Idiom Strategies© 2010

Engagement Marketing for Businesses & Individuals

Market Yourself and Make Your Career

www.idiomstrategies.comChristine@idiomstrategies.comConnect, Participate and Engage for SuccessRequest a Free Individual Consultation415.264.2098