How to Develop a Professional Online Reputation

Your resume and cover letter are important tools for your job search, but they will only get you so far. In the digital era, employers and recruiters are turning to the digital space to find talent. Whether they look you up after seeing your resume or they are looking for passive candidates, the people with the power to hire you are online. If you want to increase your chances of landing a great job, focus on positioning yourself as a top IT pro online.

Get Social

Everyone has read stories of job seekers whose social media presence has burned their chances of landing a job. When used correctly, however, social media can actually accelerate your search. Follow these tips to build the right presence:

• Set all of your personal social media accounts to private. Untag yourself from photos on your friends’ accounts to avoid “backdoor” entry.
• Set up separate, professional accounts that are public. Here, share insights and information about your area of expertise. Connect with thought leaders, share useful content and add your own thoughts.
• Focus on a complete LinkedIn profile. Pay for a premium account which will boost your search results position, include critical keywords, update your portfolio and include an updated headshot. Join relevant groups and make thoughtful contributions to the conversations.

Set up a Professional Website

If you don’t already have one, set up a professional website using your first and last name as the domain. If someone has already used your name, choose a variation by adding your middle initial or name. Here, you can showcase your work by building an online portfolio and blog, or simply post your resume. However you choose to use the site, keep the content limited to professional topics.

Get Active

Once everything is set up, make sure you’re spending time each week on your website and social media accounts. The more active you are, the more opportunity you have to showcase your expertise and build new professional connections. Additionally, make your LinkedIn profile active by continuing to solicit recommendations and making updates as-needed in real time.

Every so often, Google yourself and see what appears. If anything questionable shows up, take the necessary steps to remove those pages. You don’t want hiring managers to see anything that could jeopardize your search.

Ready to Grow Your Tech Career?

If you are a professional looking for new IT job opportunities, we invite you to contact PEAK Technical Consulting today to learn about the ways we can help you achieve your goals.

About PEAK

PEAK Technical Consulting has created connections with employers nationwide, where you can find projects and roles to make the most of your abilities and advance your career. Since 1968, PEAK has helped IT professionals find jobs that offer flexibility, challenges and rewards. We are committed to giving you the resources and support you need to build the career of your dreams.