The development of technology around us is incredible but it also means that there is nowhere for us to hide anymore. The days of only having someone’s phone number are long gone; we now have their email, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat and the list goes on. And a lot of what we say and do online is visible to all.

This means that everywhere we go digitally, we need to think about the footprints we leave. With more employers than ever checking social media platforms before meeting candidates, it is important that you reflect yourself in a positive way. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have photos of a night out or funny stories on your social media, it is just about being more careful with what you say and do. These are some practical tips to avoid putting your digital foot in it during your job search.

Self-Search

The first thing you need to be aware of is what information is actually being held about you. Without this knowledge, you don’t have any idea of how to improve your digital footprint. When you search your name on Google, you should find anything digital with your name attached to it. The good, the bad and the ugly!

Careful Content

We would all love the freedom to say exactly what we think on our social media platforms, however it is important to be aware that even if you delete a comment, the digital print can remain.  Think before you post anything that might have repercussions for you in the future, even if it doesn’t seem important right now. Content also includes photographs; stick to those that no one will be offended by.

Privacy Settings

You can have a bit more control over who sees your content if you have a look at the privacy settings on your social media accounts. If you don’t want everyone and anyone to see what you post, just keep it to friends and family. It is still a good idea to be careful with your content, as you really don’t know how effective these settings are but it does give you slightly more flexibility with who can access your information.

Remove Unfair Stories

We tend to believe everything we read these days, even though most of it probably isn’t exactly accurate. However, if you find some untruths about yourself online, you can contact Google and ask them to remove it, through their support function. Of course, they will probably look into it to make sure it is in fact untrue.

Be Positive

Try and make your digital footprint a positive one. It is unadvisable to talk negatively about other people or more importantly, your employer, as this will instantly put off any potential recruiters. As the saying goes, if you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything. Talk to your friends if you have any complaining to do, but don’t put it on social media. As soon as it’s posted, it’s difficult to remove the tracks.

Don’t forget, of course, social media gives you a great opportunity to create a positive digital footprint. If you have an excellent LinkedIn profile write a blog about marketing issues or Tweet insightful comments about the events industry - it could make all the difference the next time you’re being considered for a role.