Managing your CV digital footprint

Integrating technology into the recruitment and selection process is not a new thing especially as most vacancies require a potential candidate to apply online. So it’s only a matter of time for many of us before our personal lives cross over with our professional lives which is why it is worth thinking about your digital…

25th May 202118th March 2023

Your digital footprint is the trail of ‘electronic breadcrumbs’ you leave behind when you use the internet. It can include the websites you visit, the photos you upload and your interactions with other people on social networks.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MANAGE YOUR CV DIGITAL FOOTPRINT?

Getting content removed can be hard, so it’s best to think about what you’re posting or sending online carefully.

It’s important to think about who could see the content, especially if it’s shared beyond it’s intended audience – family, friends, peers or potential employers and make use of privacy settings on common platforms. Many employers can and do review digital footprints when short listing interview candidates.

Employers may use social media to find top talent and candidates can stand out from others by showcasing their social media creativity. Although that doesn’t mean social networking sites are always used appropriately with some of the biggest faux pas employees make on social networking sites including posting:

Negative comments about their workplace
Confidential information
Discriminatory comments
Comments/photos/links during work hours
Posting or tagging inappropriate pictures on their profile

TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU MANAGE YOUR CV DIGITAL FOOTPRINT:

There are five tips that will help you manage your CV digital footprint.

Make privacy a priority: Review and use the privacy settings available to you – do you really want ‘friends of friends’ seeing photos of what you got up to on away from work?
Check your social networking pages: Review your social media accounts, and remove language or pictures that might upset, embarrass or offend other people.
Use the right social media tool: Some sites like Facebook provide a good way to communicate socially, but can be open to a wide audience including friends of friends.
Stay current: Check your profiles are up-to-date and reflective of you as a person. Even if you’re not currently looking for work, social networking profiles are also used to find prospective employees and may land you your dream job.
Keep confidential information and derogatory comments to yourself: If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it online, including mumblings about your annoying boss or coworkers. Always take disagreements offline where they can be more effectively communicated and resolved. And think twice about commenting on a meme page that is publicly available.