Digital assets, eh!?
Picture from: hieidory.wordpress.com
As far as we are concerned with this post, a digital asset is:
…any item of text or media that has been formatted into a binary source that includes the right to use it.
So it is something that you’ve put into a computer or uploaded to the internet that you own.
That’s things like:
- Pictures you’ve taken and uploaded
- Videos you’ve made and published
- Anything you’ve written on Twitter or blogged
- Content uploaded to your Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+
Etc, etc.
And let’s face it. Nowadays when you apply for a job, most employers will read your CV and then check out your public digital assets, whether you like it or not.
So here are 9 ways that you can make your digital assets work for you and maybe, just maybe, help you get that graduate job you’ve always wanted.
1. Get on LinkedIn (if you haven’t already)
This is your online CV and your online professional network. Think “Facebook for the professionals”. And it is huge. More and more we are finding that students are joining LinkedIn to start forging their professional networks, get advice and make contact with people in industries they want to join. At the very least, it is somewhere to store your CV. At best, it can be leveraged to showcase your talents and knowledge, and apply for jobs in one-click.
Here’s a great example of a graduate who has marketed themselves well using LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/joanne-cave/15/ba9/59
Sharing in discussions and forums may help you contact someone that can put you in touch about job vacancies. At the very least, it is a great place to ask questions.
2. Google’d yourself lately?
Narciscistic? Perhaps. Essential for all job seekers? Definitely. This is what most future employers will do with your name, once they’ve checked over your CV or application form. They’ll reach for the keyboard and see what pops up when they enter your name.
In less time than it takes to blink, Google has returned millions of possible digital asset matches. Scary.
One job seeker even went to the lengths to pay for ad words so that when a CEO of a company Google’d his own name, the name of the candidate appeared, with all of his digital assets neatly listed for him to see. He got the job.
3. Pipl.com – if you thought that Google was revealing, then check this out!
Pipl goes futher than Google – it does what they call a “deep web search”. It pools together all digital assets for people with the same name / location. It might show your Facebook profile picture, for example.
And then it neatly collates all documents, blogs, articles that you’ve got in the digital assetsphere (I’ve just made that word up).
4. Write a blog
Yeah, you can tell I was a Netscape user back in 1992, when blogging through .alt newsgroups was really technologically advanced. Dial up modems and everything.
So you may forgive me for thinking that blogging is so yesterday’s digital asset news?
Think again.
If there is one way to get your voice and unique perspective on the world seen and heard, blogging is the way. You can promote your own interests but more importantly, show that you care passionately about something and that you can articulate it. You don’t have to be Shakespeare to make it work.
5. Comment on other people’s blogs
Ok, so you’ve struck off idea number 4. And I am comming right back at ya with number 5.
Express your opinion. Be you. But don’t be a hater or a troll. That will just land you in trouble and quite frankly, the world would be a better place without that kind of negativity.
6. Spring clean your Tweets
Oh no, you didn’t just say that did you? You did?! Oh dear.
And Twitter is public. Everyone can see everything.
My litmus test is that before pressing the share button on any social media, if I wouldn’t say it to my boss, I won’t put it on Twitter or any other social media you can list.
7. Check your e-mail address
It’s 630pm on a Friday and the graduate recruiter has had a tough week. Checking the 305th online application of the day her eyes are going ever so slightly square. Just 34 more to go. She scans over the application form and sees the e-mail address of the 305th applicant. It reads <<lovelybunny@sicklysweet.com>>
Chance to make a good first impression? Lost forever.
8. Use a professional-looking profile photo
They say a picture paints a thousand words.
Well yes, it does, but usually only when it is a really lovely picture. That means it has to be well framed, focused, well composed, lit just right and appropriate resolution. And that’s before any post production.
Don’t settle for a grainy, poorly lit, out of focus picture that you see everywhere on internet profiles.
Your profile picture is your shop window. Merchandize it!!
9. Back your digital assets up
Sorry. Didn’t you know I was a closet geek? Well yes, I am. And being a geek means that I know the value of backing things up.
Just do it.
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Thank you for reading and comments are very welcome (see point 5)
🙂
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