Managing your online reputation

Taking control of your online reputation

Managing your online reputation isn’t just about removing negative content – you can use social media to create a positive impression.

Cleaning up your ‘digital dirt’

Don’t let your online activity damage your career prospects!

Things you should consider removing from online profiles include: • References to excessive drinking or drug taking • Comments of a sexual nature • Racist, sectarian, homophobic, sexist, anti-disability or extremist views • Support for illegal activities or organisations If you find content online that could harm your reputation: • Send a polite request asking the publisher to remove or correct it • If that doesn’t work, report the content using the links provided • If appropriate, post a correction but don’t get involved in an online argument!

Don’t forget about your email address, profile/cover pictures and bio!

Do they give the right impression?

Using social media constructively

Make your online profile an extension of your CV. • Use social media to find out more about your subject area or career development opportunities • Post updates and images that will create the image that you want others to see • Set up a professional profile using LinkedIn • Join in conversations related to your area of study or career • Start your own blog or social media page to comment on your area of expertise or community interests For more information on how to Get Cybersmart for Career Success, visit qub.ac.uk/cybersmart Follow Queen’s Careers and Social Media QUB

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GET CYBERSMART FOR CAREER SUCCESS

MANAGING YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION www.qub.ac.uk/cybersmart 15/04/2016 11:27

What’s it all about?

How can you protect your online reputation?

Whilst some social media sites offer privacy settings, information posted to these sites can still be easily shared and often becomes public. Anyone, including potential employers, can find this information and may use it to make judgements about you.

Think before you share • Before posting comments, photographs, videos, etc. online, think carefully about whether they could have a negative impact on your reputation – now or in the future • Regardless of your privacy settings, assume anything you put online may become public – would you publish it in a national newspaper?

• Never share your passwords and protect mobile devices with a PIN

Every time you share information or photographs on social media sites like Facebook, or post comments to Twitter or blogs, you are leaving behind a digital footprint. Others may add their own views about you (good or bad), contributing to the image of you that is portrayed online.

Do you know what is on the Internet about you?

It’s a good idea to regularly review the information available about you online.

Search engines • Search for your name using a popular search engine, such as Google or Bing • Search for images as well as text • Try different variations of your name, any nicknames or profile names Social media sites • Review what others have posted about you online • Check photographs or updates that you’ve been tagged in – make sure you can approve Facebook tags before allowing them on your timeline • Find out how sites can use your information and images • Don’t forget about old social media profiles that you no longer use Remember, any information shared online will probably be searchable and could potentially be seen by anyone.

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Consider how your online behaviour will reflect on your reputation.

Connect with respect • Don’t post anything that could cause others offence or embarrassment • Respect the privacy of others and ask for permission before posting images of them online • Don’t show support for offensive views by liking or sharing them Mind your language!

Poor grammar and spelling or the use of offensive or profane language will have a negative impact on your online reputation!

Know your friends • Restrict personal sites to close friends/family – create a ‘Close Friends’ list on Facebook • Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know – cyber-blackmail is on the increase!

• Discuss with your friends the type of content that you don’t want them to post about you

15/04/2016 11:27

What’s it all about?

How can you protect your online reputation?

Whilst some social media sites offer privacy settings, information posted to these sites can still be easily shared and often becomes public. Anyone, including potential employers, can find this information and may use it to make judgements about you.

Think before you share • Before posting comments, photographs, videos, etc. online, think carefully about whether they could have a negative impact on your reputation – now or in the future • Regardless of your privacy settings, assume anything you put online may become public – would you publish it in a national newspaper?

• Never share your passwords and protect mobile devices with a PIN

Every time you share information or photographs on social media sites like Facebook, or post comments to Twitter or blogs, you are leaving behind a digital footprint. Others may add their own views about you (good or bad), contributing to the image of you that is portrayed online.

Do you know what is on the Internet about you?

It’s a good idea to regularly review the information available about you online.

Search engines • Search for your name using a popular search engine, such as Google or Bing • Search for images as well as text • Try different variations of your name, any nicknames or profile names Social media sites • Review what others have posted about you online • Check photographs or updates that you’ve been tagged in – make sure you can approve Facebook tags before allowing them on your timeline • Find out how sites can use your information and images • Don’t forget about old social media profiles that you no longer use Remember, any information shared online will probably be searchable and could potentially be seen by anyone.

Lib_ManagingOnlineRep.indd 3-4

Consider how your online behaviour will reflect on your reputation.

Connect with respect • Don’t post anything that could cause others offence or embarrassment • Respect the privacy of others and ask for permission before posting images of them online • Don’t show support for offensive views by liking or sharing them Mind your language!

Poor grammar and spelling or the use of offensive or profane language will have a negative impact on your online reputation!

Know your friends • Restrict personal sites to close friends/family – create a ‘Close Friends’ list on Facebook • Don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know – cyber-blackmail is on the increase!

• Discuss with your friends the type of content that you don’t want them to post about you

15/04/2016 11:27

Taking control of your online reputation

Managing your online reputation isn’t just about removing negative content – you can use social media to create a positive impression.

Cleaning up your ‘digital dirt’

Don’t let your online activity damage your career prospects!

Things you should consider removing from online profiles include: • References to excessive drinking or drug taking • Comments of a sexual nature • Racist, sectarian, homophobic, sexist, anti-disability or extremist views • Support for illegal activities or organisations If you find content online that could harm your reputation: • Send a polite request asking the publisher to remove or correct it • If that doesn’t work, report the content using the links provided • If appropriate, post a correction but don’t get involved in an online argument!

Don’t forget about your email address, profile/cover pictures and bio!

Do they give the right impression?

Using social media constructively

Make your online profile an extension of your CV. • Use social media to find out more about your subject area or career development opportunities • Post updates and images that will create the image that you want others to see • Set up a professional profile using LinkedIn • Join in conversations related to your area of study or career • Start your own blog or social media page to comment on your area of expertise or community interests For more information on how to Get Cybersmart for Career Success, visit qub.ac.uk/cybersmart Follow Queen’s Careers and Social Media QUB

Lib_ManagingOnlineRep.indd 1-2

GET CYBERSMART FOR CAREER SUCCESS

MANAGING YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION www.qub.ac.uk/cybersmart 15/04/2016 11:27