BACK TO ARTICLES 
With nearly 75 percent of recruiters required to do an online check of potential employees, it is now more important than ever to maintain a clean and professional online persona. Hiring managers across the world are looking at your social networks to find information omitted from a resume or interview. Some companies are even hiring firms such as Social Intelligence, which offer social media background checks capable of bringing up any unusual activity within the last seven years!
So how can you leverage the power of social networks to create the perfect online image of yourself? What tools are readily available to help you succeed in personal branding?
So how can you leverage the power of social networks to create the perfect online image of yourself? What tools are readily available to help you succeed in personal branding?
Step 1: The Clean Up
The first step is to go through your existing social networks and perform a full sweep of any content that could be seen as “questionable.” Play the role of a hiring manager, or grab a friend to help, and ask…would I hire this person? If there are any photos/posts that raise an eyebrow, don’t hesitate to remove them!
Making sure all of your jobs/interests/expertise are up to date is also crucial. Letting your Linkedin or Facebook still show you work at an old job can put you in a tricky spot during an interview if you are in fact, no longer employed. Don’t forget to update your Twitter bio and blog “about” page as well.
Step 2: Build Your SEO
SEO has been the buzzword for nearly two years now, yet most people tend to ignore their own names as keywords to focus on. One powerful tool, BrandYourSelf, allows users to control which links appear on the first page of Google when their name is searched. Even if you have a common name, it is vital to be aware of how you appear in a search engine.
The secret to personal branding regarding SEO? Being active throughout the social realm! Starting a blog, guest posting, sharing on Linkedin, building a Twitter following, engaging on a regular basis…utilizing all of these techniques will spread your name and therefore boost your personal SEO.
If you like to know where you stand, you can try using Klout. Though their score calculation algorithms are questionable, it is the standard of online influence and must be considered. As your social presence/influence grows, so does your Klout score, and therefore you have a benchmark to work from.
Step 3: Avoid Platform Overload
It is better to be super active on a few social networks, than inactive on many. The sheer amount of social platforms available can overwhelm even the most seasoned social media professional. Stick to the main three (Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook) and work on growing your following, connections, and engagement. Become an expert in your field through content creation and consistent posting. Combining these techniques will boost your credibility, as well as personal SEO, and make your social presence more appealing to recruiters.
In the end, knowing how you perceived online can be the difference between being hired or pushed out of the pile. Personal branding should build an authentic image and you must believe in yourself. 2013 will see many social platforms come and go, but it is up to you to shine! Have any tips or questions regarding personal branding? Feel free to leave a comment!
