Your Online Resume

In an era where your Google search results are as scrutinized as your resume, maintaining a professional online presence is no longer optional—it's essential. Richard Bolles urges the readers of What Color Is Your Parachute? the need to adapt to modern job search strategies, including refining your online image to align with your career aspirations.

Time and time again, I have heard of stories where someone does not get hired, in spite of meeting all the necessary qualifications, because of their online presence. Here are Bolles' tip on how to avoid yours being the next example:

1. Google Yourself: Start by searching your name in various search engines. Analyze the first few pages to see what potential employers might find.
   
2. Clean Up Social Media: Scrub your social profiles of anything that doesn't represent your professional image. This includes photos, posts, and comments that could be viewed as unprofessional.
   
3. Consistency Across Platforms: Ensure your LinkedIn, Twitter, and any professional websites or portfolios have consistent information regarding your job history, skills, and objectives.
4. Personal Branding: Create a narrative that showcases your skills and career goals. This could be through a personal website or blog related to your industry.
5. Professional Headshot: Use a professional headshot across all platforms. A consistent image helps with recognition and branding.
6. Engage With Your Industry Online: Share articles, comment on discussions, and publish content that shows your engagement and expertise in your field.
7. Privacy Settings: Review the privacy settings on personal accounts. Make sure personal information or posts are not publicly accessible.
8. Digital Portfolio: If applicable, create an online portfolio showcasing your work. This can be linked to your LinkedIn profile and resume. This very blog is a great extension of my resume! It showcases the type of work I've done, the projects I'm passionate about, and it even serves as writing samples!
9. Email Address: Use a professional email address for job applications and correspondence. This was a lot harder to accomplish. Especially now. Most usernames have been taken! I said it last year, but I'll say it again... invest on buying your name as a domain! (Read blog post here) Use it as your domain name for your professional email.
10. Regular Updates: Keep your online profiles updated with your latest achievements and career developments.

Remember, your online presence is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. Invest the time to ensure it accurately reflects your professionalism and dedication to your career path. 

For more information on building an online portfolio using Google's free tools and resources, consider looking into my previous blog post "GOOGLE SITES - CREATING AN E-PORTFOLIO"