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Monday, 3 july 2017 | Redacción CEU
Human Resources have changed thanks to the advance of digital technology. If you are looking for a job, you are most likely not to find it with old school methods. Do you have a Linkedin account? Do you update your profile frequently? Do you configure your social networks privacy? Have you ever googled your own name? If the answer is no, you are in a hardship. The future of recruiting is on the Net and your reputation is at stake. Take care of your personal branding!
Have you heard about Moore's Law? More than a law in the strict sense, it is a prediction that has driven technological development during the past decades, and it is expected to continue at least for anorher four years. Its premise is that every two years the number of transistors per inch in the integrated circuits will double itself. In English, technology is becoming more complex, less expensive and its development is exponential. As a rule, what is now a revolutionary breakthrough only accessible to very few people –either for having a high cost or for being just a prototype–, in a few years it will be affordable to the masses and more complex devices will be developed. At the same time, somewhere someone will be developing a more complex, improved and less accessible device. The cycle repeats itself over and over again, it is the era of digital transformation.
The exponential development of digital technology is unstoppable and, as far as possible, we have to adapt to it. We recently discussed the importance of having e-recruiters in the Human Resources department. Today we are turning the tables. If companies recruited candidates through social networks and search engines, professionals should catch up –specially if they are in an active job search situation–.
Your personal branding is important
You may think that you only have to worry about your personal brand if you are looking for a job, do not be overconfident. Imagine that your boss orders you to meet with a representative of a company to close a deal and you do not know anything about the organization. What is the first thing that you would do? Googling and searching information on the Internet about it. Surely, the supposed representative of the company will be doing the same thing with you and your company. What do you think would happen if the first thing that he/she finds on the Internet about you are the photos of your friend Peter's bachelor party? You will lose credibility and seem unprofessional. On certain occasions, a misuse of social networks can even lead to the dismissal of the worker.
Companies are becoming more aware of that having an adequate reputation is important, not only with regard to their clients, also when establishing relationships with other agents in the work environment and being more competitive. In addition to generate trust, a good capital on reputation is money. Manuel A. Alonso Coto, Director of the Human Resources Program of the Institute for Advanced Management, in his masterclass on digital transformation and e-recruitment claims that <<if, for example, a company searched for a director of treasury, they would trust in someone who has a good reputation online because surely he/she gets credit lines with better conditions>>. Our reputation can have a direct impact on our company.
Personal branding takes time and effort. The image you project can help you getting opportunities, but it can also take them away, it depends on how you use it. Benefits are tangible, your reputation makes you visible, generates a competitive advantage, increases your chances of being successful, gives you credibility and facilitates your work.
How to improve your online reputation?
In the case that you are unemployed and actively seeking, it is not necessary to convince you, if you have not started working on your image on the network, you have to "pull your socks up". If you know how to play your cards, the Internet can be your ally. Remember that the first "interview" is done on the network and it only takes a few seconds. Here you have some practical tips to start improving your personal branding on the Net:
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Think about what is your goal
Before you begin, sit down and think about what you want to achieve, develop your strategy and work according to it.
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Google your own name
Analyze what you find and if you do not like it, work to change it. The objective is that among the first five results only what you want the recruiter to find, appears. If you are in a hardship, there are consultancies that take care of getting rid of those unwanted mentions.
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If you do not have Linkedin, create an account right now
We cannot assure you what will happen in the future but, at the moment, this is the platform on which the vast majority of online recruiters work. If you do not have a profile on this network, your options would be very limited.
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Make sure your presence in all social networks is appropriate
A common practice before conducting a personal interview is to take a look at the candidate's networks like Twitter, Google+, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, etc. Watch the content that appears on them.
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Use keywords
On platforms like Linkedin keywords have a great weight –especially in headlines– . The e-recruiter filters the search thanks to these words. Imagine how many candidates you compete with, the easier you make the task, the easier it is to get to you.
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Do not share things outside of the work environment in professional networks
On Linkedin this practice will detract your credibility. You can use other ways to share that information, interact in closed groups or with high privacy configured accounts.
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Be honest, do not resort to tricks
If someone finds out you are using fake accounts to boost your reputation or lying, the consequences can be disastrous.
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Do networking
Interacting with relevant actors in your field is very useful and can bring you prestige. You can even become an opinion leader in your sector.
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Use social networks knowledgeably
Make timely use of your social networks and configure the privacy of your accounts according to what you want to project.
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Adapt your image to the type of work
The image of an advertising creative, will not be the same as the one of a traditional banking employee.
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Take care with your photos
A careless or informal image can be crucial when discarding a candidate
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Update your Linkedin account even if you are not looking for a position
Do not forget the importance of personal branding. Do not miss the chance of a headhunter contacting you to offer something better.
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Get to know well the platforms where you are
Being creative at times can help you breaking down barriers and achieving your goals.
These are our tips, the thrill and perseverance are in your hands.