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Wary of the World Wide Web

Job SearchSkillsSocial Media

With recent articles addressing the importance of social media sites such as Twitter and the more work-specific LinkedIn for finding graduate jobs it is increasingly important to consider how each of us may be perceived from our presence on the World Wide Web.

Research conducted by Execunet demonstrates just how much an applicant's online presence is scrutinised, with 77% of recruiters saying that they would run an online search for applicants in order to extract some additional details. This statistic coincides with the startling assertion that 35% of recruiters had rejected an applicant based on their internet findings! This data exemplifies just how important it is for graduates to be aware of their online profiles and to ensure that the image they are projecting will not be harmful to their employment prospects. Students are the majority consumers of the ubiquitous Facebook and have to be very wary of the implications which their account could have when they graduate. This wariness ought to be taken into account even more seriously considering the existence of entire companies, such as The Social Intelligence Corp, which are solely devoted to trawling the web and screening job applicants according to their online pictures and posts. Words of caution are echoed by Shuvo Loha, director of a headhunting firm, who is quoted in the Guardian saying, "What seemed like a funny photo from university could end up costing you a job or an interview without you even knowing. Evidence of a negative or bad attitude, revealed through too much complaining or ranting, would put me off, as would anything that suggests a candidate is intolerant or extreme in opinion. Bad mouthing other people, especially employers, is out, as is anything that exaggerates or is too self-promotional." In order to avoid jeopardising your prospects of getting a graduate job, here are some tips for maintaining a squeaky-clean online image.

1. An obvious step you can take is to constantly monitor the available privacy settings available on the websites you use.

If you insist on having a risqué online profile, make sure it is only available to be seen by those who will be amused.

2. Another easy way to avoid getting into trouble is to use an alternative name for your online accounts.

If your online activities cannot be directly traced to you there is significantly less risk of their tainting your job applications.

3. Don't be an idiot.

It is obvious what could be perceived as potentially offensive and there is no point risking your long-term career options for a frivolous moment of online banter. The internet presents equal opportunities to enhance or damage your career prospects and it is key that people are aware of the potential effects their online persona can have on their real lives. Therefore, while the internet provides endless opportunities for humour and sharing your opinions, always approach your online activity with a mentality of pragmatism and privacy - it could just be the crucial factor in bolstering your application for a graduate job. Tom , GRB Journalist
the grb team grb author

Graduate Recruitment Bureau (GRB) is the UK's highest review-rated graduate recruitment consultancy. Every day our teams of sector-specific experts get contacted by major graduate recruiters, SMEs and start-ups who are looking for high calibre university students and graduates.

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