Personal & Professional Development

BUS133

Ben Walsh

THE RELEVANCE OF A DIGITAL PROFILE AS AN EMPLOYABILITY TOOL

Background
Digital profiles are becoming an increasingly important factor when it comes to employability tools.
Currently, LinkedIn, a business orientated social network, has around 187 million users and covers
over 200 countries (www.forbes.com, 2012). In addition to this, the average CEO of a company has
around 930 LinkedIn connections (www.expandedramblings.com, 2014), meaning that this can an
opportunity to communicate and exchange ideas which can help a person get recognised by those in
high positions. This essay will consider the current research, benefits and issues with having a digital
profile as an employability tool, before making recommendations as to whether digital profiles are a
relevant tool when searching for employment.
Current Research
It is not just professional social media that can impact on employability, but social networks such as
Facebook, Twitter and Tumbler , as a recent survey showed that 92% of employers use social media
in the hiring process (Jobsite, 2013). Furthermore, the same survey showed that 80% of employers
had been positively influenced by a candidates social network, and 78% had been negatively
influenced. This goes to show that digital profiles are definitely a thing in large use, with the vast
majority of companies seeing the importance of them, and then being influenced from what they
have found.
Also, digital profiles are becoming increasingly accessible and necessary, as in 2013, 36 million adults
in Great Britain (76%) used the internet in some manner every day, and 83% of households had
internet access (www.ons.gov.uk, 2013). Because of this, business have identified ways of expanding
through online methods, rather than just newspaper job vacancies adverts or in the job centre, they
can now seek employees in their own home. Furthermore, the advance in accessible technology
means that job seekers can respond to these opportunities from home, sending in their CVs online.
Additionally, this greater use of internet has allowed employers to take a step further, and actually
research their candidates online through social media, through means the candidate has set up
purposely for this reason like Linked In, and means that they perhaps would not consider to be
influencial, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Current Implications
Simon Middleton, writing for the Guardian, believes there are many positive implications of digital
profiles, one of which being that they demonstrate to the employer that the employee has a clear
sense of purpose, and will be reassuring to them that the employee candidate has done this. In
similar fashion, Joanne Tombrokes of Forbes believes that not only does a digital profile help to
increase the chances of employment, but is an absolute must for any candidate. She writes how "It's
not an option if you are looking to earn a living" (Joanne Tombrokes, 2012) implying that those
without a digital profile will be the ones losing out on employment opportunity to those that have
done so, and worked well on theirs. The suggested importance of digital profiles as a tool for is
great, largely because it aids the communication of a person's skill set, for instance if a candidate
was not particularly suited for public speaking or perhaps not as confident in interviews, then the
digital profile can provide the necessary information to make up for this, and ensures that the
relevant stories and past experiences are communicated well and to the maximum. Other benefits
of the digital profile are that it demonstrates creativity, an indication of an applicant's personality to
help establish of relationship with the employer, and acts as a good way to organise and present the
applicants awards and accolades (www.edjudo.com, 2011).
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These sources all agree that it is very important for a job seeker to have a maintain a creditable
digital profile, and that a good digital profile will only increase the candidate's chance of gaining
employment. However, it must be noted that although each source thus far has strongly argued the
positive implications of a candidate having an online profile, they do stress that it is only a good,
responsible and professional profile will aid the job seeker. This shows that it is not just having a
digital presence that is important for the job seeker, but a well maintained, creditable, and in a
professional manner. In fact, having a poorly maintained digital profile can
A digital profile does however have the potential for negative consequences. Most of which are via
an applicant or employee having moaned or criticised their old/ current job via social network, or
posting irresponsible images of themselves. These are usually done without thinking of any
professional consequences, however a recent survey showed that 40% of employers have previously
disregarded an applicant's resume after checking their Facebook account (Careerbulider.co.uk,
2010). This figure highlights the importance of keeping all forms of digital profile moderate and
appropriate. There have also been incidents where current employees have been fired due to
misconduct on social media, such as posting at times when work should be being done, complaining
about wages, pictures promoting alcohol, and vulgar language (Emma Reynolds, Daily Mirror, 2012).
More specifically, 10% of companies had sacked an employee for boasting about drinking and drugs
online, 13% for making racist comments and 9% for placing exploitive photos on their Facebook
page. (The Telegraph, 2010).
Conclusion
In conclusion, based on the various sources of information, it seems apparent that a digital profile is
very relevant as an employability tool, due to the high percentage of employers that check
candidate's social networks, and have said they were influenced in hiring or not. Furthermore, it
must be stated that although a digital profile is a very useful and relevant tool when seeking
employment, only a well crafted and professional one will benefit the candidate. A poorly organised
profile or one that shows inappropriate language and pictures will however damage the chances of
employment from an employer who checks up on their candidates. Additionally, writers from highly
established organisations such as The Guardian newspaper and Forbes magazine stress the necessity
of a good digital profile, and its relevance as a method of increasing the likelihood of gaining
employment, and so there is s strong opinion that using digital profiles can definitely aid a worker
seeking employment.
Recommendations
As the use of technology is vastly increasing in the workplace, and digital profiles are becoming more
and more relevant, it work make sense that there is information available to younger generation
who are starting to enter the working world about how to successfully monitor their social media
accounts so that they can avoid having negative consequences from it. Additionally, information on
how to increase the chance of employment through their digital profile, like professional networks
like Linked In. A good place to start this would be in university, so that those going through further
education can have an advantage over other candidates they may face in future, with perhaps more
experience than them. From this, the university students will have the opportunity to network
themselves and establish connections with potential employers, which can help them gain
employment in positions where they may not without the lessons learned and put into practice. Not
only would this be a benefit to the students, but to the employers as well. This is because the
employers will have a better opportunity to find the best young academics coming through, and help
them to secure the graduates in job roles to utilise them best for the business. Overall, a scheme like
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this would help to benefit the student and the employer, and so seems a project worth taking on,
and highly likely to be a success on all angles.