Analyzing Your Digital Identity – Blog #2

What digital platforms are you currently using to develop your professional network? Consider how an employer would respond if you applied for a job with them and they assessed your social media presence via your digital identity.

When thinking about my professional network, I always go straight to apps like LinkedIn, Seek, and Indeed. Before university, I never really thought about creating profiles to find jobs. I would usually find part-time jobs through friends or by going in person and dropping off my resume. But when applying for internships, having an online presence feels almost necessary. I had to build my LinkedIn profile to make myself heard by employers. I would connect with people from companies I was interested in, message employers introducing myself, and reach out to people in positions I was aiming towards. This made me realize that my digital identity is something I actively build to create opportunities and portray myself professionally.

However, employers can see more than just my professional profiles. By searching my name on Google, they can also find my Instagram and VSCO profiles. From my LinkedIn and Seek profiles, employers can see my experience, skills, and academic accomplishments. From Instagram and VSCO, they can see my trips, friends, and family. I would hope they interpret this as showing that I am social, adventurous, and friendly, but I can’t completely control how others perceive me. I think having my employer see both sides of my digital identity, personal and professional, makes me a better candidate.

I want my digital identity to show that I am hardworking and professional, but also that I am human and enjoy having a chat about my weekend. Although having an online presence creates opportunities, it also makes me more cautious about what I share.