Question: Discuss the ways in which an *authentic* online professional profile can be developed.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Allow me to introduce to you the dynamic and constantly changing art of creating an online professional profile…
First, watch this video for insights on how to create a generic online profile.
To a marketer, having a digital profile expresses the knowledge of digital literacy. It shows that this person with the profile has awareness of the growing industry that is rapidly moving (or is already in) the digital stage whereby digital marketing and e-commerce is all the rage.
Developing an Online Professional Profile
There are many ways and purpose of creating a digital profile. Some examples are LinkedIn for professional networking services or blogs like WordPress for that digital resume. The options are endless.
There are some aspects that needs to be looked at for a digital profile.
Firstly, the profile must represent the user in terms of tonality and imagery. For example, the profile of a graphic designer would differ greatly from that of an accountant. The graphic designer’s profile may be wild, funky and wacky rolled into one. Whether the accountant’s profile may be serious and professional.
Secondly, this profile can also be a hub, whereby all your other social medias or previous works can be viewed from. Therefore, as mentioned in my previous post, consistency is important as it leads to credibility.
A good example would be avatars or profile pictures. They must show the same person and the photos must reflect who you are in real life.
Lastly, updates and participation in profiles is a must in keeping up with times. An online profile is there forever and once you have created something you’re proud of, you would want to update it and keep it checked. You never know when you might need it again.
However, online professional profiles has numerous advantages, it is important not to get too lost it in creating the perfect profile because ultimately, the viewers want to know you. You as in the person behind the keyboard.
In Conclusion…
From the research and readings I have done, I personally feel that the purpose and goal of the profile is the most important because it is the guide, sort of like the spine for the body. The profile then revolves around this purpose and hopefully, achieve the goal.
Another note would be that it is a good idea to Google yourself as the first step and check out what the Internet thinks of you before you attempt to enhance or eradicate that image. What the Internet thinks of you could lead to a future employer’s perspective of you.
Ultimately, the profile is you. It is a reflection of who you are and how you portray yourself.
References
InternMatch Blog, (2014). How to Create a Killer Online Professional Profile – InternMatch Blog. [online] Available at: https://www.internmatch.com/blog/how-to-create-a-killer-online-professional-profile [Accessed 3 Dec. 2014].
Markgren, S. (2011). Ten simple steps to create and manage your professional online identity How to use portfolios and profiles. College & Research Libraries News, [online] 72(1), pp.31-35. Available at: http://crln.acrl.org/content/72/1/31.full [Accessed 3 Dec. 2014].
WebAppers, (2011). 35 Professionally Designed Personal Portfolio Websites. [online] Available at: http://www.webappers.com/2011/03/08/35-professionally-designed-personal-portfolio-websites/ [Accessed 3 Dec. 2014].
vanessalisoton.wordpress.com 
Hi Vanessa! Interesting entry! It makes sense to say being a designer, my online identity should be more funky. I always thought no matter what profession we are in, we just gotta be professional and formal when it comes to our online identity. Now I know the need in finding our goals and purpose first before creating an identity! I didn’t use to search myself on Google and when i tried it, i saw some pictures of myself posted by my friends in the past! So just wondering, if I were to google myself and found out some pictures that were not posted from me, what should I do to remove it?
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Hi Sylvia!
I guess if I was in that situation, I would contact the person with those photos and request that they take it down. I remember my friend complaining to Facebook once about a not so nice photo that didn’t belong to her and they took it down.
If I can’t contact them then I guess I’d have to suck up.
I’m pretty sure 1 or 2 nasty photos from your past wouldn’t affect your profile much. Employers were young and careless once too. So long as you’re more careful now.
Old photos will remain in Google’s lala land but recency is also one of the aspect they consider when pulling out search results!
Thank you for your comment. That’s a really thought provoking question you got there.
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