digital networking and
building a digital reputation
Session objectives
• To audit your own digital profile
• To identify features of a positive digital
profile
• To think about what successful online
networkers do
• To plan for building a career-ready
digital network and profile
Why digital
networks?
• 45% of employers (US figures) use
social networks to screen applicants
• Most recruiters use social media sites
(Facebook, LinkedIn, twitter) to source
candidates
• Your digital reputation is a crucial asset
in the job market
•
What do you look like online?
Activity in pairs
• For this activity you will need access to
a digital device (smartphone, laptop,
netbook) and an internet connection
• If you are using your own device, do not
log into any social networks (e.g.
Facebook)
Activity in pairs
• Introduce yourself with your full name
only
• Find out more about each other using
ONLY material that is publicly available
online
• You can guide each other to relevant
sites but don’t give away information
you can’t see online
• Do not sign in to social networks
(private material will be visible)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Some tips
Look for local news stories that may have included
you – fund raising, community events etc
Look for clubs/societies you are involved with
Is anything you have learned or achieved at
University available online?
Previous employers, work placements etc may have
a web page with your details on
If you are a member of social networks, check out
what is publicly visible
Don't worry if you can't find anything, that is still
useful information
Reflections
• Were you surprised by what you found?
• How much of what is visible about you
online is under your control?
• What could you do to create a more
positive digital identity?
Social networking
and
your
career
• make yourself visible to potential
employers
• find out more about the sectors,
companies or specialisms that interest
you
• connect with people who share your
interests
• build a lifelong network that can take
you from job to job
Some networks you
might know...
• Facebook, Google+ (for everyone)
• academia.edu, researchgate
(researchers, academics and PG
students)
• LinkedIn, xing, zerply (professionals)
• Twitter (used by academics and
professionals)
What makes a good
• Same principles as offline networking
networker?
apply (LINK)
• Everything is more public (what goes
around definitely comes around)
• Connecting is easy, quality connections
need work
• Layer information - use links so people
who want to know more can find it
• LARC (Lurk while you learn,
Ask
questions, Repost/retweet, Collate
information for others)
Managing your digital
reputation
• Profiles
• Updates
• Networks
• Connections
• Help (yourself and others)
Activity in pairs
• Identify somebody who has a positive
profile in your chosen field – opinion
former, business leader, star researcher
• What can you find out about them
online?
• What networks do you think they belong
to?
Reflections and
action planning
• What network do you think it is most
important for you to join right now?
• What three things can you do to create
a positive online profile?
• What three things can you do to actively
build your professional network online?
More information
• Resources on using Linked-In
effectively
• Hand-out on building a digital profile