Kelly Services offers employees six tips for managing your digital footprint
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Maintaining a professional and consistent online presence to enhance job prospects and career development
Kelly Services Australia has announced six tips for employees to manage their ‘digital footprint’ to ensure they remain professional and leverage opportunities for social interaction and personal marketing.
In the latest Kelly Global Workforce Index, which obtained the views of approximately 134,000 people in 29 countries, including more than 20,000 in Australia, 23 per cent of people describe themselves as “very active” in their use of social media for personal marketing, while another 34 per cent say they are “somewhat active”.
Karen Colfer, managing director, Kelly Services Australia, said, “In an exploding digital world, it’s common for people to post personal comments on their Facebook, Twitter or blog entries relating to their working environment and working relationships.
“Employees run the risk of posts giving a negative outlook on their professionalism, capabilities and reliability when searching and applying for new jobs or when managing their professional ‘digital’ portfolio. Posts must be carefully managed, controlled and protected using security settings provided by social networking sites.
“The key to success is to align your personal values with your profession - then you can’t go wrong in terms of both the career you develop and the ‘digital tattoo’ you leave behind.”
Taking a proactive approach to addressing and monitoring your ‘digital tattoo’ in an appropriate way can enhance your virtual reputation for the future and have an impact on career development. Ultimately, social networking can be spontaneous; you never know which network or person may lead to a new business connection.
Kelly Services Australia recommends people actively manage their digital footprint using these six tips:
- Evaluate the content of your social media pages. Ask yourself, will it affect the activities in the workplace? Will it offend my colleagues? Is it against the social media policy I agreed to?
- Consider the privacy implications of what you are sharing. The summer party season is underway. Don’t post photos onto your social networks that will offend your colleagues or breach their privacy. If in doubt, ask people before you add their pictures on Facebook etc. especially if you’re tagging the pictures.
- If you are planning to seek a promotion or new job in the new year. Remember that your digital footprint is important and can effectively act as your resume - particularly if you’re using LinkedIn. Don’t post or comment on anything that will hinder your chances of success. It’s a great idea to keep your LinkedIn status updates and other social network updates, like Twitter, different as what’s appropriate in one isn’t always appropriate in another.
- Set goals. Do some research and spend some time collecting information about who you follow and affiliate with, making sure your research is relevant to your industry. This will show that you are interested in keeping up to date with industry trends and up skilling.
- Stay aware. It's not just about your own space, and it's not just about following and commenting on other networks. It's about being aware and staying active; what’s new, what’s getting old, what’s exciting and what’s shocking.
- Have fun. Sadly, a lot of people disconnect with their social networks because they are no longer having fun with it. The trick is to turn your job into something that you are passionate about. Potential employers want to see that you are still having fun and actively contributing to personal and relevant industry networks, but always in an appropriate way.
Media Contact:
Michelle Taylor
Recognition PR
02 9252 2266
mct@recognition.com.au