{"id":71411,"date":"2014-05-13T06:45:16","date_gmt":"2014-05-13T11:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=71411"},"modified":"2014-05-13T09:44:04","modified_gmt":"2014-05-13T14:44:04","slug":"you-are-your-brand-job-searching-is-your-p-r-exercise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inalj.com\/?p=71411","title":{"rendered":"You are Your Brand: job searching is your p.r. exercise"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Christina Wilson, Head Editor of\u00a0INALJ Alberta<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0INALJ Manitoba<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

You are Your Brand: job searching is your p.r. exercise<\/span><\/h3>\n

\"ChristinaWilson\"<\/a>In the olden days, perhaps 7 years ago, it was important to dress for success when attending a job\u00a0interview, a library conference or a professional meeting, in order to present to the world, and potential\u00a0new employers, your professional image. I\u2019ve witnessed many colleagues, both male and female, when\u00a0seeking to be perceived differently in an organization undergo a physical image makeover to achieve\u00a0success or career change. Of course, they were already proficient in the requisite skills of the career\u00a0being sought, but went the extra mile and got trendier glass frames, a new wardrobe, shaved the beard,\u00a0grew the goatee and ditched the bangs to become an updated version of themselves.<\/p>\n

Nowadays, we must manage our images on two platforms: our physical and virtual selves<\/strong>. In our\u00a0ubiquitous world populated with a plethora of social media tools, career success also means managing\u00a0both your online image as well as your physical one. Social media tools are powerful aids to new library\u00a0and information sciences job seekers, but the increasing pressure to continually engage in online activity\u00a0with a goal to impress potential employers can be exhausting. To keep on top of it all and have fun in the process, think of yourself as the celebrity. Of course, it means you\u2019re also your own personal\u00a0<\/span>agent, unless you can pony up the cash to hire an image consultant, who will figure out your colours,\u00a0best hair style to suit your face, body shape and clothing to suit and advise you on social media tools,\u00a0etiquette and presentation. Online reputations consultants abound and can help you build a great\u00a0online presence.<\/p>\n

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and participating in various blogging sites are all effective ways to\u00a0extend your reach, build a network and demonstrate knowledge of, and a passion for, the library\u00a0and information profession.<\/strong> Moreover, you walk the walk. Employers working in the information\u00a0management sector seek employees with demonstrated facility with social media tools. Your ability to\u00a0present yourself and your ideas online can be persuasive.<\/p>\n

The challenge for job seekers is to keep up with these various tools and invest the time in learning,\u00a0honing and updating your numerous profiles across several platforms. Equally important is to manage\u00a0your online presence. Set your online boundaries and stay within them, for example, keep posts and\u00a0conversation threads civil, beware the untoward and unflattering pictures and ensure that everything\u00a0said about you is positive good. Avoid discussions that might hurt your career. Even if you are safely\u00a0employed, work to keep your online reputation and presence, professional, positive and squeaky clean.<\/p>\n

While this appears to be a lot to manage for job seekers, people in our field have an advantage for the\u00a0norms governing a civilized, positive personal online presence are the same guidelines that we uphold as\u00a0library and information professionals<\/strong>. In other words, modern society.\u00a0And we are experts in his area, able to model positive and socially healthy online behaviours. I hope\u00a0that if more of us get out there, the more civilized virtual society will become.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also an economic reason to monitor and maintain your positive and healthy online presence.\u00a0Employers investigate applicants and use personal websites, blogs and social media to help inform\u00a0their hiring decisions. Job seekers who use common sense will help maintain an impressive online\u00a0reputation. A few tips to help your inner PR manager on top of their game include:<\/strong><\/p>\n