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Manage Your Online Presence
How you appear online can have a significant impact on your future – in both positive and negative ways. Employers will
often check social media before deciding whether or not to interview you. For this reason, always be thoughtful about
what you post online. Anything can go viral.
Google yourself. To check how you appear online, use private browsing or “incognito mode” in
your browser to Google yourself. This will prevent your previous browsing history from impacting
the results and show you what comes up when others search you.
Popular online platforms include:
Personal Website / E-Portfolio
LinkedIn is a social media tool for
connecting with professionals,
learning industry information, and
profiling yourself as an aspiring
professional. Check careerCONNECT
for LinkedIn Workshops on campus.
Use these for an opportunity to
showcase your work, be it artistic,
written, or otherwise. Keep your work
up to date and link it from other social
media outlets and your resumé.
ResearchGate is a social network for
scientists and academics, used to
network and showcase publications.
Industry Specific Platforms
For industries that are active on
Twitter, this could be a means by
which to show how effectively you
can “tweet” and stay in touch.
A great resource for showing talents –
whether you are a videographer,
public speaker, editor, or performer.
New online platforms are created
every day, and some might be specific
to your industry. Seek resources that
can help you advance professionally.
Be a smart consumer!
STEP 4: UNCOVER THE HIDDEN JOB MARKET BY NETWORKING
The best way to access employment is by using multiple strategies. An essential addition to your job search is to uncover
the hidden job market through networking. For some students, this aspect of the job search process can feel
intimidating and it can be tempting to skip this step. We know it can be scary, but the rewards that can come from
growing a strong network are too great to miss out on. If you’re worried, we are here for you – drop in and talk to us.
Informal information about the labour market is all around us: whether it is from an impromptu
chat at the store or an opportunity posted on a bulletin board. With reflection, you might even be
able to find employment possibilities if you see a new business being built. Be aware of what is
going on around you and think critically about how you can use new information in your job search.
Put Yourself in Situations to Meet Employers
By attending events, working, volunteering, and being a part of the community, you have naturally created a network of
people who can help you with your job search. Reconnect with your contacts to find more opportunities. You will
Career Planning is not linear. You will grow and learn throughout this process and you
might change your goals as you go. Career Services is here if you need to talk.