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Your Digital Imprint

In this ever-changing but still new Digital Age, information travels fast.  Who you are is portrayed online both by you and others, most typically through social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, and Twitter.  I like to refer to this as your digital imprint.

Many have debated whether it should be done, but the fact is prospective employers are reviewing your digital imprint as part of their hiring process.  Checking popular social networking sites helps an employer get the makeup of a job candidate, for better and worse.  Associated Content says that “according to the executive search firm ExecuNet, about four out of five recruiters regularly run web searches to screen job applicants.  About one in three job seekers have been eliminated from consideration based on information the hiring company has discovered on social networking websites.”

Managing Your Digital Imprint

With high unemployment and many candidates to choose from, employers can afford to be very selective.  Properly managing your digital imprint can give you that extra leg up by providing a great impression of who you are.  Workvine.com offers the following tips (in bold) to help manage your Digital Imprint/

• Conduct a search. Google yourself to see what, if any, information is out there.
• Optimize positive links. Set up a professional page in your name.  Create positive associations with your name on the web.
• Make the most of social networking sites. Be selective about who you allow in your network, since employers may notice with whom you like to associate.  Be particular about who comments on your page and edit comments when you deem necessary.  Your college frat buddies may have a lot of crude inside jokes that you just don’t want employers viewing!
• Speak out selectively. Be careful when you comment on blogs or news websites, or at least use an alias.  Often the relative anonymity of the Internet allows us to articulate many views & opinions we wouldn’t dare say in public.  Think about what & how you say it before you type.
• Be prepared to explain. We have all made mistakes, and with your Digital Imprint, that mistake can be around for a very long time.  If you find remarks by or about  you that cannot be removed, be prepared to address them with your employers.  They may be willing to give you a pass on those crazy Spring Break pics if it was ten years ago and you show yourself to be a more mature person!

I hope you’ve enjoyed the past two articles where we’ve gone “Beyond the Paper”.  You can link to the first article below:

Beyond the Paper:  Creating a Video Resume

Good luck with your job search!

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jobs digital imprint, employment, facebook, myspace, resume, social network, twitter, web 2.0, youtube

I went to see a recruiter once, and after talking to him about employment opportunities, he told me their company creates a video of each applicant in their database that they would use as to supplement to your paper resume when connecting you with prospective employers.  In other words, a video resume, created to help you stand out from all the competition with mere words on paper displaying their qualifications.  So he opened up software that uses a webcam to record up to a 3 minute video, where I introduced myself and explained a little bit about the work that I would enjoy doing.

3 Tips when Creating a Video Resume

1. Smile! This is your chance to show them that you can appear comfortable in their surroundings.  Show that you are personable, not dreary.
2. Avoid “TV Announcer” voice. You don’t have to alter your voice to sound as if you’re the guy that does movie trailers.  Pretend like you’re having a conversation with someone and you will come across more genuine.  No voice posturing needed.
3. Cheat Sheet. I wrote a few bullet points of what I wanted to say down on a piece of paper, folded it half, and hung it over the computer monitor right next to the webcam.  It helped me cut down on “umms” and “uuuhhhhs”, and allowed me to maintain eye contact with the camera, rather than looking away or down from the camera.
4. Be Professional. You don’t have to act like a goofball just to prove you’re not a stick-in-the-mud.  Don’t end up like this guy.

Employer Reaction

Video resumes are still a relatively new venture.  Some worry about the legal aspects of viewing video resumes can lead to charges of racial or gender discrimination.  But overall, it seems as if employers are open to embracing and adapting to a new social, digital era.

Nearly two years ago, Vault.com surveyed employers and found that while only 17% had seen a video resume, 89% were open to viewing one if submitted to them.

Career websites like CareerBuilder and Interview Studio, among others, offer video resumes as a part of their career search platform.  It also could provide the individual job seeker a way to showcase his presentation skills to particular employers.  More recently, a personal video resume has enabled one man to pursue his dream.

As with any new use of technology, just proceed creatively, yet cautiously.  Know your prospective targets and use video to play to their likes to maximize the greatest use of your electronic portfolio.

Have you ever used a video to supplement your resume?

Employers:  How do you feel about video resumes?

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photos by: SOCIALisBETTER

jobs employment, interview, jobs, resume, video resume

Well another week has gone by, and there were many great articles I read out in the blogosphere.  Here’s the highlights!

189th Carnival of Personal Finance:  Super Bowl Edition 

My article proclaiming that it’s never too late for New Years Resolutions was selected as part of the 189th Carnival of Personal Finance:  Super Bowl Edition!  Thanks to Emily Starbuck Gerson and her crew at creditcards.com for adding my article.  Drop by and check out the Carnival!

My Top Picks This Week

Got Jobs?

PT at PrimeTime Money put together a great list with the help of his Twitter followers of 52 Ways to Make Extra Money.  There’s always a way to come up with some cash.  Nice work, PT!

Christian PF found that even though the economy is tough, many companies are still hiring.  With these and others hiring, you can help avoid the 10 ways to become or stay poor.

Once you find a job to apply for, Squawkfox gives you tips on the 6 words that make your resume suck.  I’ve gotta say, I’m guilty of a few of these!  This is a great reference tool that I’ll return to and access from time to time.

Hopefully the job you apply for is better than MoneyMateKate’s list of the weirdest jobs she’s ever done.  You have to see these!

Parents & Children

FrugalDad writes an excellent article on contributing to a Roth IRA for teenagers.  It is never too early to use the power of compound interest.

Get Rich Slowly invites us to try out the Young Money Stock Market Game.

Finally, prayers go out to Paid Twice and his family, as he lost his father this month.  Remarkably with all that’s going on with taking care of his mother and family in this unfortunate time, he’s found time to compile a list of things he’s learned losing a parent. 

This list is a must for every family to complete so the financial and procedural details don’t add to your stress and time of grief.

Have a great weekend!

Photo by Lauren Nelson

Links O' The Week Carnival of Personal Finance, games, income, jobs, new years resolutions, resume, Roth IRA