Article

Lachlan Brook
Lachlan Brook 22 August 2016

5 Tips to Manage Your On-line Reputation

In the digital economy your on-line reputation is your key to success. Your own "brand" is directly linked to that of your employer and employers, colleagues, boyfriends / girlfriends (and even strangers) are all checking you out on-line. In fact more than 90 percent of recruiters report checking on-line information before granting an interview.

According to a Microsoft survey around 70 percent of recruiters have rejected a candidate because of what they found on-line.

It doesn’t stop at your LinkedIn profile. Recruiters are searching Facebook, Twitter and any other source they can find to determine if you are really as good as you say you are or whether there is something in your background that could embarrass the company. 

Your network matters – it’s not all about you. Recruiters report taking into consideration how your online connections – your friends, family and colleagues – behave online and what they have to say about you. Who you associate with says a lot about you so don’t connect with people you don’t know and trust.

You’ll never know they looked, so get it right – less than one-third of recruiters say they discuss what they find with candidates. This means you’ll have almost no opportunity to explain any discrepancies or indiscretions. The recruiter will just move onto the next candidate in the list.

This is a global trend – while the extent to which online profiles and other reputational information is relied upon differs in each country, one trend is overwhelmingly clear. It happens in all countries and the trend is on the rise. 

Most job seekers have no idea – fewer than 15 percent of job seekers believe their online reputation will impact their ability to get a new job. Given what we have just learned this is naive at best and downright foolish at worst. Your online reputation is one of the most important factors recruiters consider when assessing your application.

So how do you ensure your online reputation helps rather than hurts you?

Here are 5 top tips.

1. Nothing is a secret– if it’s online it can be found. Be aware that anything and everything about you online is available to the world and will be the basis of many peoples first impression about you. So make sure you only post information that you want the world to find and don’t ever think that time will make something disappear.

2. Be consistent– if your LinkedIn profile positions you as a conservative professional then it probably isn’t a good idea to cover your Facebook page in party pics. Whatever image you are trying to present to the world, make sure your online behaviour is consistent.

3. Be smart about privacy– turning on all your privacy settings isn’t necessarily the only way to manage your online reputation. There is a lot more to your online reputation than just social media. And in fact if your social media profiles present a good impression then opening them up to the world can be a good thing. Always try to protect your personal information but in an online world be careful that you don’t remove yourself from the digital economy completely.

4. Your online presence is about more than just social media– Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and a host of other social media platforms dominate many peoples’ on-line lives. But the on-line world extends way beyond social media. News articles, academic papers, restaurant reviews and thousands of other interactions all contribute to your on-line reputation. Pay attention to all of your on-line activities.

I always try to follow the golden rule of social media....

“If it is not good enough for a Disney Children’s Movie, it should not appear in Social Media”

5. Monitor your online reputation– understanding how you appear on-line is the first step in managing your on-line reputation. You can’t fix what you don’t know. Take the time to review your social media posts and search for information available about you through major search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing.

There are a number of programs available that can assist you in monitoring what is being said about you and or your brand, allowing you to respond in a timely and positive manner. Most have free or trial versions. Use them!

A short list would have to include:

  • Hootsuite
  • Crowdfire
  • Mention
  • myonlinerep

About the Author

Lachlan has over 25 years experience as a professional and enthusiastic marketing guru with experience in social media, strategy and management, brand, direct and digital marketing. He has worked in and advised many businesses including some of Australia’s leading agencies, retailers, franchise networks, and not for profits as well as a growing international portfolio.

Please login or register to add a comment.

Contribute Now!

Loving our articles? Do you have an insightful post that you want to shout about? Well, you've come to the right place! We are always looking for fresh Doughnuts to be a part of our community.

Popular Articles

See all
How to Review a Website — A Guide for Beginners

How to Review a Website — A Guide for Beginners

A company website is crucial for any business's digital marketing strategy. To keep up with the changing trends and customer buying behaviors, it's important to review and make necessary changes regularly...

Digital Doughnut Contributor
Digital Doughnut Contributor 25 March 2024
Read more
The World Is Shrinking: 6 Degrees of Separation Is Now 2!

The World Is Shrinking: 6 Degrees of Separation Is Now 2!

Six degrees of separation is not just a party game, it's a reality. Everyone is the world is interconnected, and thanks to social media, that connectedness gets tighter and richer each day. See the research...

Scott Christley
Scott Christley 9 August 2017
Read more
The Impact of New Technology on Marketing

The Impact of New Technology on Marketing

Technology has impacted every part of our lives. From household chores to business disciplines and etiquette, there's a gadget or app for it. Marketing has changed dramatically over the years, but what is the...

Alex Lysak
Alex Lysak 3 April 2024
Read more
What Marketing Content Do Different Age Groups like to Consume?

What Marketing Content Do Different Age Groups like to Consume?

Today marketers have a wide choice of different content types to create; from video to blogs, from memes to whitepapers. But which types of content are most suitable for different age groups?

Lisa Curry
Lisa Curry 21 October 2016
Read more
10 Factors that Influence Customer Buying Behaviour Online

10 Factors that Influence Customer Buying Behaviour Online

Now is an era where customers take the center stags influencing business strategies across industries. No business can afford to overlook factors that could either break the customer experience or even pose a risk of...

Edward Roesch
Edward Roesch 4 June 2018
Read more