@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Protecting your Online ReputationMaintaining your privacy - Enhancing your employability

Presented on behalf of Unlocking Cornish Potential

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Introduction

These slides are used during a series of presentations provided to university graduates attending an Unlocking Cornish Potential funded course designed to help them increase their chances of employment.

The presentation is intended to give an insight into how our online reputation can help or hinder an application for employment.

For details of the Unlocking Cornish Potential scheme please click here.

Where possible, links to further resources have been included throughout the presentation.

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Before we get started… Who Am I?

My name is Aren Grimshaw.

I am a Social Media Consultant working with businesses, organisations & individuals looking to use platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and blogs more effectively.

I have been working in sales, marketing and media roles for over 10 years.

I am co-founder of Cornwall Social Media Cafe, lead organiser behind two Cornwall Twestivals and a UK Regional Coordinator of Twestival UK 2010.

You can connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or Delicious by clicking on the icons in the footer.

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

What we will cover?

• What do we mean by ‘online reputation’?• Why should I care?• How can I use it to my advantage?• How do I protect myself?• Getting ahead of the pack

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

What do we mean by ‘online reputation’?

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

“Reputation is the opinion or social evaluation of a group of entities toward a person, judged against a certain criterion.”

Adapted from the Wikipedia Definition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=digital+reputation&go=Go

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Your Reputation Online

• Profiles or other accounts on social networks• Blogs you write or contribute to• Forums you post comments on• News items you respond to

• Anything relating to you that can be found online

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Why should I care?

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Why should I care?

• It may be your first impression• It could 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!

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Is it really such a big deal?

• 53% of Employers Use Social Networking Sites to Research Job Candidates

• Another 12% plan to start doing so

• 35% of employers reported they have found content that caused them not to hire the candidate

Sources: Career Builder - http://ow.ly/2262s and http://www.recruiter.co.uk/1003910.article

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

What stopped them employing?

• 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

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Status Updates

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Status Updates

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Photos – caught at the wrong time

...Family emergency?

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Group Memberships

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Group Memberships

What impression do you think these groups might give a potential employer?

• Getting Pissed • “Yes Officer I did see the Speed Limit sign I just didn't see YOU• If karma doesn’t knock you out soon, I will.. • I don't hate you....... I just don't appreciate your existence

...oh, and by the way, one of you is a member of all these groups and many more. I didn’t need to be your friend to access this information, it is publicly available.

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Comments

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Evidence of Illegal Activity

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Keep an eye on others!

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

“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 - I got an official warning for it.”

“I never even thought about it being a public domain. I was just angry and voicing off.”

Real life case study, Local Ad Sales Representative

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

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

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

“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.”

“In one case a blog also alerted us to other problems that had been glossed over elsewhere.”

Real life case study, Marketing Strategist at a PR consultancy

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

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

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

How do I protect myself?

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

How do I protect myself?

• Google yourself regularly – use alerts• Check your privacy settings • Choose your friends carefully• Think about what you share• Monitor tags & comments – use notifications• Think long-term – where might you be in 3, 5

or 10 years time?

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Getting ahead of the pack

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Getting ahead of the pack

Social Media platforms offer a great opportunity to show a potential employer why they should employ you over and above the other candidates.

Unlike the interview room you have the opportunity to pull in all different types of content and to control what areas are up for discussion.

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Social Media Platforms

Blogs Social Networks

Wiki Sites

File Sharing Sites

Social BookmarksLive StreamingForums

AggregatorsReview Systems

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Getting ahead of the pack - General

• Visibility + Credibility = Profitability• Treat your online presence as your CV• Demonstrate your expertise• Start networking now• Use the tools to research jobs, their work &

key employees

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Getting ahead of the pack - 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

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

How do I help?

Explaining How…I offer a series of training modules in the theory and practical application of Social Media tools and platforms, as well as coaching and support to individuals or teams.

Explaining What…Traditionally referred to as strategy or consultancy, It comes down to me putting my knowledge to work on your behalf, explaining what you need to do to meet your objectives.

Explaining Why…This may involve a basic appraisal of your activity to date or ongoing monitoring of your activity for results.

Doing it…I can help setup, create and maintain Social Media accounts ready for take over at a later stage, ensuring you get the right technology working for you.

@arengrimshaw | social media consultant

Getting in touch

Search for “aren grimshaw” on Google

Or

Tel: 01872 273103Mob: 07598 242212

Email: info@arengrimshaw.co.ukWeb: www.arengrimshaw.co.uk