How to Create an Online Presence That Stands Out When Job Hunting
Picture this: you just met a fascinating person at a party who has the exact services you’ve been looking for. Maybe it’s a photographer. Maybe it’s a writer, a life coach, or a sound healer. They have the skills you’ve been looking for for a long time, and they seemed competent and interesting. You’re thrilled to meet them.“What’s your Insta?” you ask them. They don’t have one? Ok.“Do you have a website?” you ask. They don’t. Okay…They have email, or text, or at best, a portfolio. That’s okay. That’s fine — but how does it compare to the sleek, professional, expensive-looking website you saw for another life coach/writer/sound healer? Not so well.The fact is, in the world of the internet, we do judge a book by its cover. So if you don’t have a great, professional, even expensive looking (you don’t actually have to spend much money on it) site, you have a far lower chance of making a good impression.Simply having a professional presence isn’t the only thing you need to consider. You also have to be very mindful of what your personal profiles convey. Even worse than no website is a social media footprint showcasing debauchery, unsavory lifestyle practices, or offensive material.Employers are no longer basing their decisions solely on a well-thought-out, professional resume. They’re digging deeper — across your social media history and overall web presence. They want the real story of who you are, not the premeditated one.Whether you’re an administrative assistant, a marketing manager, or an IT professional, you need a solid, positive online footprint. That means first having a presence and second ensuring it’s consistently conveying the image of a professional and respectable. Not sure how to do that? Read on.