However different these platforms may be and whatever side of your personality they show, they all add up to one thing: you. So, are you happy with the story they tell? Would an employer be equally impressed?

Because try as you might, the personal can’t always be separated from the professional – and most employers will check out your entire online blueprint before they even consider hiring you. Don’t believe us? It’s estimated that over a quarter of HR professionals have rejected an applicant on the basis of what appears on the web.

Go on, Google yourself, we dare you.

The Master Plan

• Perception is everything:

  Build a netrep that works to your advantage. How? By consciously creating the impression you want to project. If you want to be known as a consummate professional with particular expertise in digital strategy, the legal landscape or financial markets (basically, whatever your area of interest), you need to cultivate that image. Connect with likeminded individuals on LinkedIn, contribute to discussion groups, start a blog, submit articles, tweet your insights, share relevant Facebook posts – anything that gets you noticed, for all the right reasons. And on that note…

• Bad netreps are the worst:

  Not to sound like a broken record, but you can’t always separate the personal from the professional. When you’re online, you need your sensible head. You know, the one that stops you from launching into a tirade about how annoying your boss is, how desperately you want to quit, how much you’re enjoying your faux sick day. Because we’ve seen real life people get busted. And it ain’t pretty.

• You said WHAAAT?!

  Okay, you really need to think about whether your posts, shares, videos and photos are appropriate. Like, really think about it. It’s easy to get carried away with the banter on social media or to lash out with harsh (even extreme) comments when you disagree with someone’s point of view, but you might come to regret it.

• How to not shoot yourself in the foot:

  Social media can be the greatest referral network out there. But if you don’t want your employer to know you’re looking around, be smart. Asking for recommendations on LinkedIn is a pretty glaring sign that you plan on jumping ship, so be careful about who you approach. Only ask for recommendations from people you’ve actually worked with and don’t be offended if someone declines, they might just be protecting their own netrep.

• The social minefield:

  As careful as you are, there’s also your friends to consider. When it comes to social media we’d recommend employing the strictest security settings. Remove any personal info you’d rather your employers didn’t see and ask your friends (nicely) to wipe any damaging comments, pictures or videos involving you. You can actually change your Facebook settings so that your friends need your express permission (oh the power!) before anything they post about you goes live.

Of course, you might decide that this is all too much like hard work and remove yourself from the online world entirely, but if you’re firmly rooted in social networks and you need any help navigating this complex new world, give us a shout and we’ll guide you through.