1. Get rid of the negativity
Want to be taken seriously during the hiring process? Perhaps it would be time to hide those compromising images that are available on the web! Taking care of your virtual appearance, is removing (or at least hiding) anything that could take away credibility or seriousness from future employers. You want to establish a certain notoriety, especially if you have spent time building an online presence: personal website, social media, resume or portfolio.
2. Stay Authentic
Here's a tip to keep in mind: stay yourself! You are a photographer and you want to ‘borrow’ images found on the website of another photographer for your own portfolio? Recruiters do more research than you think and you risk losing all of your credibility, as well as potential contracts! In addition, recruiters, headhunters and future employers tend to talk to each other to share profiles of people they need to stay away from ... Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth!
If you stay true to yourself, your future employers will thank you for your authenticity and you will certainly be rewarded in the future. Karma points coming your way!
3. Join a community
There are several benefits of living in the web era, including the many opportunities available when looking for a job. Forums, blogs, groups, there is something for everyone and for all tastes! Just go look at some of the Facebook pages, dedicated to finding jobs in a particular field, we are convinced you will be able to find a community to join, therefore helping you get that dream job!
In addition, on networks like LinkedIn or Facebook, a simple ad that you are looking for a job can open the door to a multitude of opportunities. After all, contacts are important, and you should definitely use them to reach your goals!
4. Surround yourself with positive people
Speaking of contacts, it is important at this stage of your life to surround yourself with positive people who can, and will help you on your personal or professional journey. Do a little social networks cleaning and start following positive people who will deliver motivating and inspiring messages that you can integrate in your life.
5. Choose your images carefully
As the saying goes: a picture is worth a thousand words! Taking care of your virtual appearance starts with the way you portray yourself. On LinkedIn for example, it is suggested to put a profile picture that is taking professionally, or has great quality to demonstrate your seriousness and professionalism. In blog posts, you are often told that investing in professionally taken photos proves that you are serious, and it will establish notoriety from the beginning. It may seem superficial, but nowadays, people put a lot of importance on what they see, so make sure you blow them away!
6. Pay a special attention to your content
Just like your images, your content must also be professional. On your online resume or portfolio, make sure your content is written carefully, taking into account your target audience. It would be unfortunate not to correct the spelling or grammatical errors that have been hiding in your texts, as these can remove credibility faster than it took you to write them! Add keywords but do not overdo it. In summary, your online presence should be professional, yet don’t be afraid to add a touch of creativity to stand out!