Tips to Ensure Your Online Life Doesn’t Kill Your Civilian Job Search

5 Tips to Ensure Your Online Life Won’t Kill Your Civilian Job Search

Click HERE to see the article printed in Recruit Military’s ‘Search & Employ’ issue for May/June 2018.

The job-searching process is excruciating. More automation has made things harder, not easier. When veterans leave the military, they undoubtedly hold many valuable qualities and skills that employers are seeking. Veterans have unique characteristics that make them an asset to any organization. From collaboration and teamwork to problem-solving and leadership abilities, it’s no wonder so many organizations have committed to hiring Veterans. One of the things that really sets Veterans apart is their commitment to service. They are very conscience about the mission of the organization and they work to get the job done in the right way. As an employer, it is comforting to have someone who is committed to the team, able to work under pressure, and ready to be a leader.

Even with all those excellent qualifications, transitioning into a civilian career can be incredibly difficult. However, there are some key practices that can be adopted to make the job search process a little less excruciating.

WARNING! Your future employer is Googling you. Believe it. More than 70% of recruiters admit to performing a Google search on candidates. What’s more, 40% said the things they learned online have eliminated previous candidates. That means your future supervisor is scrolling through your Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIN, and Twitter posts to see if you have the right stuff. Have you ever written a review on Yelp or Google? They see that too. The more time you spend online, the more important it is to keep track of your digital footprint. Think of it like your credit score. One bad decision could cost you the opportunity of a lifetime and take an eternity to correct.

Google your name or email address. Do you like what you see? Every time you join a site, group, get tagged in a photo or mentioned, it creates a digital footprint. Much like looking at a timeline, your internet history can be traced.

Be on the defense and protect yourself. Whether you plan to transition out of the military or change jobs soon, there are five things you absolutely must do to protect your future job prospects.

  1. Get an Alias – Don’t use your real name when creating profiles on websites. Use a nickname. In the case of Facebook, where they require your real name, make sure you have your profile marked as private, viewable only by people you add as friends, and that you check your security settings regularly.
  2. Move Beyond Private’ – Remember that even if you have your profile marked as private, photos of you tagged by others are viewable by the public. Be sure to “un-tag” anything that you wouldn’t want your mother or potential employer to see. There is a privacy setting on Facebook that allows you to ‘approve’ anything before it gets posted to your wall and you can customize that setting as necessary.
  3. Think Twice About Online Forums Be cautious about what you say in online discussion forums, reviews or blogs. These too will show up in a search if they are attached to your real name. Be careful who you share your real name and identity with.
  4. Keep It Professional – At networking sites like LinkedIn, where you want to use your real identity, keep it professional. Don’t add vacation pictures, details about your personal life, or political/religious stances. Use these forums to highlight your professional qualifications, network with other professionals, and explore opportunities. On job sites like Indeed, use your email address as a primary means of contact, instead of your phone number and your address. Don’t divulge too much information on the web.
  5. Periodically Google Yourself – Google yourself every six months and see how “web proof” you are. If you don’t like what you see, take measures to correct it and prevent your web footprint from hindering any opportunities that might be waiting for you.

Most importantly, do not stop using these tips when you land that next position. You want to always keep your online presence in the forefront. Your digital footprint can absolutely have a positive or negative effect on your job search but it can also play a part in whether you keep your position too. Employers, hiring managers, human resources departments and coworkers don’t necessarily stop googling you once you have been hired. Now that is something to think about!

About the Author

Jenny Nichols lives and works in Holly Springs, NC for MyComputerCareer. She holds an advanced education in Higher Education and Student Development. Jenny holds National Certifications for resume writing, editing, career coaching and career development. She is happy to discuss any feedback or answer questions about this content. If you have any questions or feedback, please email Jenny Nichols at jennyn@mycomputercareer.edu.

About MyComputerCareer.edu

Based in Holly Springs, North Carolina, MyComputerCareer, Inc. is an innovative adult technical school with courses taught online and at its seven campuses in Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina and Texas. Students who complete MyComputerCareer’s rigorous Information Technology courses may earn up to 13 highly valuable IT Certifications in areas ranging from Operating Systems to Computer Networks and Cyber Security, certificates often required even for those with four-year college degrees. In addition, these courses form the foundation for students interested in obtaining an Associate’s degree from MyComputerCareer.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

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