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Step 7--Your Online Footprint

Whew! Today has already been an amazing day. Had MY career coaching session which helps me to see that I AM MY OWN WORST ENEMY when it comes to building my career. It's those endless doubts and worry that weigh be down like baggage. I call the thoughts that are unproductive, my Hypocrite. And I'm working on finding ways to counteract the statements, ideas that block productive action. Coming up with conscious tactics helps tremendously.

Of course, I'm distractedly thinking about what I'll hear from my FAVORITE potential employer of the day. I got my "rejection" notices for two jobs I applied for, and they do sting. I second guess my talent and strengths and wonder if I should just go to the nearest grocery store, retailer or fast food restaurant and take a minimum wage job and plan to give up my apartment for an SRO...and I thank my Hypocrite voice and send him packing...for now.

Step 7---Your Digital Footprint

We all know we have an online presence. A search for me usually turns up this amazing hockey player (never been on the ice), so that's interesting...but search for me with qualifiers and I'm gradually creating an online space that tells a consistent story. I encourage you to try to do that too. In Arruda's "Career Distinction" he and his co-author suggest that your online presence needs to be a part of a consistent brand image.

What's your Facebook page say about you? We know that part of it is public. Make sure at least that part of it reflects the brand you want to share with the world. Recruiters sometimes look. So might your prospective manager, and co-workers. It might be the way they get "introduced" to you. What do you want to "say"?

Look at your LinkedIn profile in the same way.

Think about whether you want a blog, tweets, a website etc to also be part of that. Do you want YouTube video content, flickr, etc. to work on your behalf. Maybe you've typed comments to another person's blog or responses to articles in the online trade journals. All these might come up during an online search of you.

If you subscribe to the NY Times online for example, think about how you might contribute to online discussions. You might even want to volunteer to write articles for a trade magazine to get your "voice" out there and create a profile that makes it easy to link back with you. Build your network that way.

You might want to follow your target companies on Facebook or Twitter. Often, the HR functions of companies have set up a presence that can demonstrate your interest, and get you some helpful timely scoop. There are always helpful online communities to join regarding the industry and function you've chosen. This can be a nice additional tool for you to use.

Only use these if you have valency and appetite for it though. If you're primarily a face to face person, and this will drive you crazy (or completely distract you from connecting live with people), then just clean up what you find when you "Bing" yourself (or Google yourself).

Finally, your alma mater might have an online space where you can search for alumni in your industry/function or at your target companies. You might have a profile there too. Find out and utilize that as a way to generate more informational interviews.

It's a lot, and totally worth mining in the ways that work for you.
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