Developing Your Online Profile
August 16, 2009 by Karen Schweitzer
Filed under Online Colleges
Social media sites like Facebook, MySpace, Linked In, and Twitter make it easy to stay in touch with friends and share stories with the rest of the world. But these sites can have drawbacks–particularly for students who are trying to get hired or accepted to college.
Employers and admissions committees often check these sites to learn more about applicants. If they don’t like what they see on your online profile, they are unlikely to contact you with a job offer or acceptance letter.
You can make sure social media sites do not have a negative impact on your future prospects by following these easy tips when developing your online profile:
1. Think carefully before using your real or full name. When you use your actual name, it makes it very easy for people to find you. And while this isn’t always a bad thing, it can backfire when employers or other professionals try seeking you out online.
2. Set privacy controls. There are certain sites, such as MySpace, that allow users to determine who can and cannot view profiles. If this option is available be sure to use it on all of your personal accounts.
3. Do not post party pictures or images that show you doing something illegal on your profile. Nothing looks worse to employers than a social profile filled with images of alcohol abuse or uncouth behavior.
4. List your achievements. You should never be afraid to share your achievements through your professional online profile. Things to list on your profile include: degrees, awards, academic achievements, fluent languages, work experience, and travel experience.
5. Create a personal brand. Your online profile provides a way for you to showcase yourself (your personal brand) to the world. It should include compelling information that demonstrates who you are, how you do things, and what makes you unique.
6. Remember, you are on the Internet. Within the searchable World Wide Web, keywords are king. Your profile should include keywords aimed at your target market. For example, if you have a degree in computer science or need a job in computer science, the words “computer science” should appear somewhere in your profile.
7. Customize your URL. There are certain sites, such as Facebook, Linked In, and Twitter, which allow you to create a vanity URL using your name, site name, or industry. You should take advantage of this option whenever possible to increase the likelihood of your profile appearing in Google search results.
8. Keep your personal and professional accounts separate. If you do intend to post a lot of sensitive information, photos, and personal conversations within your profile, you should keep two separate accounts: a personal/alias account with personal info and a professional account that can be viewed by employers or admissions reps.
9. Cover your tracks. If you have posted something unsavory on social media accounts, get rid of it now before it is seen by anyone else. The best way to do this is by permanently deleting your account and starting a new one. If you simply remove images or deactivate the account, you leave digital footprints that can easily be followed by anyone who knows their way around the web.
Guest post from education writer Karen Schweitzer. Karen is the About.com Guide to Business School. She also writes about for OnlineDegreePrograms.org, an online degree program resource.
alcohol abuse is difficult to treat, i have an alcoholic girlfriend and she just suffered from liver problems`