Online Reputation Management: Personal Branding

Pete GeallGraduate Project Manager-ECIF

“Personal branding is the process wherebypeople and their careers are

marketed as brands” (Lair et al: 2005)

But why is it so important?

• Hiring is a purchase • Employers want to make sure they are

making the right decision• What do you do before buying?

Employer = Customer

• 64% of HR managers think it is appropriate to look at online profiles of candidates for work.

• 41% have rejected people as a result.

(source: computer weekly 28/01/10)

Death of the CV?

Stages of Purchase

Would you buy from a company that didn’t exist on Google?

It Should Look Like This:

1) Don’t spread yourself thin.

Action(s):- Concentrate on the main networks- Check privacy settings- Reserve your URL(s) - namechk.com- Join a professional network

Recommendations

- LinkedIn shows you are connected professionally

- Recommendations = Live referrals

Professional Networks

2) Contribute valuable content.

Action(s)- Create a Blog (recommended: tumblr/blogger)- Comment/Review- Demonstrate your knowledge, interests and share your insights

Action(s)- Set up Google Alerts- Track your readers (www.bit.ly)- Monitor mentions

(www.socialmention.com)

3) Monitor, Track, Listen.

Metrics

Conclusion

- Protect/Nurture your (or clients) Brand

- Contribute and Monitor - Act consistently across the web

Questions?

pete.geall@falmouth.ac.uktwitter: @petegeall

Resources• Microsoft HR Research - http://bit.ly/9UCEY1• 5 ways to avoid sabotaging your personal brand online - http://bit.ly/bHsXOe• Job Search 2.0 [Presentation] - http://www.slideshare.net/kellygiles/job-search-20• Social Mention – Track what people are saying about you: www.socialmention.com• Google Alerts – Set up alerts on subjects important to you - http://www.google.com/alerts• Social Media News – www.mashable.com• My Blog: www.modestmaritime.blogspot.com