PROTECTING YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION - STOP. REFLECT. PROTECT.
In today’s digital age, our online presence is more significant than ever. From personal social media posts to professional profiles, the content we share can have lasting impacts on our lives and careers. Understanding and managing your online reputation is important. Let’s look at the importance of online reputation and how you can safeguard yourself with three simple steps: Stop. Reflect. Protect.
What is Online Reputation?
Think of it as your digital persona. Your online reputation is how others perceive you based on what they find online. Your digital footprint is made up of everything you share – comments, photos, videos and other posts and that even includes what others share about you.
Whilst it might not seem like it, your digital persona can affect you both personally and professionally. It can influence people’s perception of you and even cause you to miss out on an opportunity.
The Importance of Online Reputation
Consider this: 47% of employers use publicly available information to screen candidates, and 41% have rejected candidates based on their online reputation. These statistics underscore the critical role your online presence plays in your professional life.
Additionally, 57% of employers have turned down candidates due to inappropriate comments online, while only 9% of candidates think employers check their online reputation. This gap highlights a significant lack of awareness amoung job seekers about the importance of their digital footprint. So, educate yourself and ensure you don’t fall into that 9%.
Stop. Reflect. Protect.
To help manage your online reputation, remember these three steps:
Stop:
Before posting anything online, pause and take a moment. Ask yourself if you’re happy sharing this. Remember once it’s out there you can’t take it back. Well, you can delete it but that doesn’t mean someone hasn’t seen it or screenshot it and shared it elsewhere. One click is all it takes to affect your personal and professional life. So be mindful of what you’re posting.
Reflect:
Taking a pause means you can reflect on what it is you're about to post. Will it present you in a good way or could it call your character into question? Away from how it could affect you personally and professionally, think about the effect it could have on colleagues, friends and family.
Protect:
Taking these steps helps you to safeguard your reputation. In addition to this, there are a few other things you can do to protect yourself.
Regularly check privacy settings and be selective with who can see what you post.
Google yourself to see what’s readily available to see. AI tools like ChatGPT can also tell you a lot about a person by scanning things on the internet so maybe try seeing what it can tell you about yourself.
Check permissions - change permissions for who can tag you in things or set it so they can request it for you to approve
Practical Tips for Managing Your Online Reputation
Managing your online reputation can feel like a bit of a minefield at times. Yes, you have a life outside of work and study and you want to share that with friends and family. A key way you can manage it is through privacy settings as mentioned before and you can even set your account to private which leads to the rest of our great tips.
Keep Professional and Personal Separate:
Where possible try to separate personal and professional. This makes it easier to manage your content and to keep a professional image which might be more easily accessible. Then you can have your own personal private accounts for friends and family.
Regularly Audit Your Online Presence:
As we grow so do our values. Like we update our CVs to suit a job we’re applying for, it’s important to update and keep our online presence up to date. So, find time to regularly review and edit your content to ensure it follows your personal and professional values.
Engage Positively Online:
We’re not saying you can’t engage with others and comment, just make it positive. Social media has a bit of a bad rep for people being unkind. Act respectfully and ask yourself how you might feel if someone said what you’re about to post to you. Contributing positively online can enhance your reputation.
Be Mindful of Associations:
Online reputation doesn’t just stop and what you share online. It also includes those you are associated with. It’s always good to ensure that your connections and content align with your values and how you want to be perceived.
Educate Yourself:
Online platforms and social media channels love to make changes so be sure to stay updated with the latest trends in online privacy and reputation management. You can’t just assume that things will stay the same and you don’t want to get caught out.
Remember online reputation is more important than you might think. By following Stop. Reflect. Protect. You are ensuring your digital footprint is a positive one. Whether you’re a job seeker, an apprentice, or someone who values their privacy, taking control of your online presence is essential in today’s interconnected world. Protect your future by being mindful of your online actions today. Remember, one click is all it takes.
Sources:
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/teachers-and-school-staff/professional-reputation/what-the-research-says