Online Professional profile… not as easy as I thought!!!

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photo credit: sogesehen. via photopin cc

To build an online professional profile, I learned that it isn’t just as simple as setting up a proper social media account. What does “proper” mean anyway? Many questions flooded my mind while I was trying to access the topic.

– I’ve learned from Patricia’s blog that “you might just get your dream job while you are sleeping!” I agree with this, and it definitely shows how important it is to create a good online professional profile. Gone are the days where tons of effort is required to look high and low just for a job that you are interested in. Now, all you need is connection and a wide network, which can be fulfilled with the use of social media platforms!

– Yvonne shared about her Google results and how you should manage your online profile with help from Google Alerts. She also said that it is important to keep your profile professional and not let inappropriate photos get in way, and suggested adjusting the privacy settings of the account or remove those photos completely. I’ve come across users who post really inappropriate photos on their Instagram accounts, I’m sure they’ll regret in future as people could have already saved those photos on their end. This brings me to a question: How do you manage information posted by others that is against you? Read my comment here.

– Zoe and Corinne both mentioned the effectiveness of using LinkedIn for creating online professional profiles and recruitment. Despite agreeing with the effectiveness, I pondered over the possibilities of overcrowding accounts and information. The digital world is ever-changing, tons of new things happen from day to day. Therefore, is it sufficient to just rely on LinkedIn? If everyone uses LinkedIn, will it become just as normal and standard as a resume? How does one stand out from it? Read my comment here.

Thanks for reading!

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References:

Are you a professional on the web? | CorinneSim. on WordPress.com. Available at: https://corinnesim.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/are-you-a-professional-on-the-web/ [Accessed December 4, 2014].

Hire me! I’m awesome!(for real) | Yvonne ☼ on WordPress.com. Available at: http://yvonneblogs.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/hire-me-im-awesomefor-real/#comment-15 [Accessed December 4, 2014].

Online meets Offline | Zoe on WordPress.com. Available at: http://zoeyeeze.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/online-meets-offline/ [Accessed December 4, 2014].

You might just get your dream job while you are sleeping! | PPU on WordPress.com. Available at: http://patriciapu.wordpress.com/2014/12/03/you-might-just-get-your-dream-job-while-you-are-sleeping/ [Accessed December 4, 2014].

No longer just a resume

Photo credit: Magdalena Roeseler via photopin cc

It’s no longer just the way you portray yourself in public, your online professional profile has to be developed to match up with the changing needs and communication methods used by others.

If you haven’t realized, social network platforms are extremely powerful. They connect tons of people together online. Just look at the statistics!

Picture Credits: Pew Research Internet Project

Anyone can do up an impressive resume now, you can’t stand out from that anymore! What you can do though, is to create/update your online professional profiles (i.e.: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and blogging/your website.)

Not convinced? Here are some reasons to why your online profiles will replace your resume.

With that, here are some tips to ace an authentic online professional profile!

• “Elevator pitch” for the About Me section

Introduce yourself by using the concept of an “elevator ride from the top to bottom of the building”. Make a 30seconds video that introduces yourself to your potential clients, employers, or partners. Start with sharing about yourself then move on to some of the experiences and skills that make you unique. The video adds to the authenticity of your profile.

Here’s an example of how to do a pitch:

• Link to other sites you are involved in 

Take note that your “work experience” section should be concise, making sure it is professional too. Make use of links to allow your audience to move from one site to another so that the section does not look too cluttered. Everything you link to should be achievements or work you are proud of. It can also effectively reinforce your strengths.

• Share your profile widely

Share the link of your updated profile around so that people can keep track of your latest updates and information. Doing so can also connect you with people (and job offers!) who you couldn’t have reached without the help of people from your network. A profile which is constantly active adds to the authenticity of it too.

• Choose a picture that reflects you

Choose a photo that accurately reflects you. It can range from you in a business wear to sports attire, depending on what your industry is. Certain pictures, like you participating in a race, could show that you are a sports enthusiast or can work well in teams. It really depends, so you’ve to make sure that you chose the right pictures. Also, use the same photo on all your accounts to maintain consistency across channels so that employers can recognize.

Good luck! 😉

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References:

5 Reasons Why Your Online Presence Will Replace Your Resume in 10 years. Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2011/02/21/5-reasons-why-your-online-presence-will-replace-your-resume-in-10-years/ [Accessed December 3, 2014].

How to Create a Killer Online Professional Profile – InternMatch Blog. Available at: https://www.internmatch.com/blog/how-to-create-a-killer-online-professional-profile [Accessed December 3, 2014].

How to Perfect the Elevator Pitch – YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1Y02_oZP8U [Accessed December 3, 2014].

Social Networking Fact Sheet | Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. Available at: http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/social-networking-fact-sheet/ [Accessed December 3, 2014].