My partner wrote a fantastic article titled “CV of a manager. Should it be a 5-volume encyclopedia?”
Further exploring this topic, I would like to stress one more important detail. Diligently put together information in the form of a resume is not everything that your potential employer will come to learn about you as a candidate. We all leave a so-called “digital track” on the Internet today.
A person who is making the decision, whether an HR, a recruiter, a senior manager or even an owner, not to mention security services, almost always “research” the Internet attempting to find additional information. What hides behind the well-structured resume and successful interview? Every situation is different. Search methods are trivially obvious. Boundaries between personal and professional are wiped out and faded.
For instance, in my professional practice, I witnessed a situation where a candidate was rejected over a photo published on Facebook. Candidate for the position of an export director in a large holding was observed on the said photo wearing a… bow tie. The HR manager was in disbelief. In her opinion, “Director of export in a bow tie? - No, no, never!” :) Particular example, of course, but real nonetheless.
Now to all seriousness, your social network image, things you post, comment on, etc., create an unfiltered vision of you that is open to interpretation. Your friend or spouse tagged you in a vacation photo on Facebook. You look relaxed, holding alcohol drink in your hand, wearing swimming shorts or swimsuit, etc., definitely appearing not like the perfect candidate for a TOP level management role. Hiring party may interpret this in their own way.
So what to do? If you prefer to stay true to yourself, then limit the number of photos you are tagged in and limit profile posts for “friends only.” Commentary on any topic that is available publicly needs to be approached with the thought that the Internet remembers everything. You can be found by your cell phone number, email, photo, and many other things. Were you selling an apartment ten years ago? Even this can be found. The question then becomes who, why, and with what purpose will use this information.
Input your name, email, cell phone number into Google, Bing, or Yandex. The most accessible information lies on the surface. Is this information congruent with that professional image you’ve created? Unfortunately, that well-kept image of an expert you so thoroughly put together in your resume and interview can be ruined with comical photo, or circumstantial comment, or a repost.
Organize your history and take control of your digital track.
Follow through this link to see what Internet users can find about you.
Using this link, you can delete your personal information.