THE RELEVANCE OF A DIGITAL PROFILE AS AN EMPLOYABILITY TOOL

The digital age is among us. Businesses are increasing their presence online, the use of
websites and social media to promote is becoming more and more popular, and has been
seen to increase over the years. With only 70% of businesses having an online identity in
2007, there is now over 90% of businesses operating online (Manta 2012), because of this
an individuals online presence and reputation has never been so crucial. In a survey
conducted from 600 small business owners, 74% perceived social networking as valuable, if
not more valuable than networking in person (Herzog 2012). So what is a digital profile? It is
the digital representation of a persons identity, it can be used to store the description of
the characteristics of a person. For example: previous employment, skills, contact details,
hobbies, etc. This is used to promote a person and to make connections with other
individuals. E.G LinkedInmaking professional connections with other individuals with
similar skills, in similar industries, etc. This essay will explore the background, current issues,
and implications and determine overall conclusion of the relevance of a digital profile as an
employment tool.
So where did the idea of a digital profile come from? The earliest forms of the internet were
developed in the 1960s which led to the founding of CompuServe, the first major
commercial online service dominating the field in the 1980s and remaining a major
contender in 1990s until it was shelved by competitors such as AOL who offered monthly
subscriptions rather than the traditional hourly rates. With home computers becoming
more common. Internet relay chats, were first used in 1988 through The Well the first
virtual online community founded by Stewart Brand and Larry Brilliant in 1985 as a dial-up
bulletin board system. In the late 1900s user profiles became a central feature of social
networking sites. The first social media site six degrees which was created in 1997 enabled
users to upload a profile and make friends with other users, sites like Myspace and LinkedIn
popularity in the early 2000s.

Most popular social networking sites by country (via Google.com)

Current research shows that more than one third of companies feel that resumes will be
replaced by profiles on social networks (Schawbel 2011). By claiming your web presence,
youre protected from other people, with the same name, from claiming it before you. You
also gain control over how you are perceived online, and thus what employers find out
about you, this is important as according to a survey (CareerBuilder 2012) as many as 37% of
employers are checking out prospective employees on social media before they make a final
decision (Messieh 2012). About 90% of internet users visit a social networking site each
month (Comscore) with the highest demographic on LinkedIn being 35+. Employers too are
reviewing peoples profiles to see what kind of person they are outside work, who they are
connected to, and how they present themselves, all aid their decision as to whether they fit
the company culture.
People cant get a job traditionally anymore according to Adams of Forbes.com recently
employed jobseekers found that 23% of those surveyed found their jobs through Ads. By
building an online presence employers can find individuals, thus they have more
opportunities. Professionals are all using LinkedIn profiles which has proved to be a
favourite tool for employers to search for top talent. LinkedIn is estimated to have more
than 332 million members in over 200 countries and territories. This includes executives
from all fortune 500 companies. Its corporate talent solutions are said to be used by 85 of
the fortune 100. Information is shared in more than one million LinkedIn groups.
The reality is a digital profile is essential for people who want to stay marketable, maintain
and expand their networks and connections. First impressions count today more than ever
they happen on-line as they do in person so it gives people a chance to make theirs one to
remember (Tombrakos 2012). A digital profile is a reflection of who an individual is, it
highlights their strengths. A digital profile is an asset to building ones personal and
professional brand.
Privacy issues within social networking has been one of the most growing concerns amongst
users. People see a privacy threat in relation to placing too much personal information in
the hands of large corporations or governmental bodies. There is also an issue of control of
data, i.e. Information being retained and passed to third parties. Social networking although
is an aid towards employability, can also create issues among getting hired and losing jobs
due to exposure of inappropriate content. This controversial issues is often debated because
employers can access their employees profiles, and judge them based on their social
behavior. There is also the issue of employers and employees being connected through
social media, although this may seem to be an advantage, the boundaries of authority can
often be blurred. According to a survey 1 in 10 people aged 16 to 34 have been rejected for
a job because of the nature of their online profile (Silicon Republic).
There have been many cases where employees have lost jobs because their negative
opinions with regards to their workplace/company. In September 2013 a woman was fired
over Facebook because she posted a status stating that military patrons should not receive
special treatment or discounts, this was found by a manager at her company and was fired
as the statement went against the companies mission statement. Earlier in the year there
was another case in which a flight attendant working for a Russian airline lost her job

because she posted a photo of herself giving the middle finger to plan full of passengers, the
image later on went viral on the internet.
Cases like these have caused individuals to question whether or not companies should have
the right to look at an employees social network profile. In 2012 Facebook took legal action
against employers for gaining access to employees profiles through their passwords. The
Facebook Chief Privacy Officer stated the company has worked hard to give its users the
tools to control who sees their information and users shouldnt be forced to share private
information to get a job.
Employment Lawyer Gillian Shaw of Harper Macleod LLP states that there are various
potential dangers for employers from social media use stated in recent press reports. For
example, breaches of confidentiality by employees: like the twitter disclosure that JK
Rowling authored the Robert Galbraith books. Aggrieved staff reporting that colleagues who
are off sick are posting updates which show otherwise. Employees posting derogatory
remarks about their employer, or their working conditions which could bring their employer
into disrepute: Emma Way, the trainee accountant driver who was fired (and convicted)
after failing to stop after an accident after boasting on twitter that she had hit a cyclist.
From the above research it has been concluded that although social networking has few
issues which may seem off putting to an individual a digital profile is an overall very useful
as an employability tool. It offers you to make valuable connections which will serve you
well in the present and future. Its importance in this digital age is constantly growing as
employers are increasingly abandoning traditional hiring routes.

References
Reasons why your online presence will replace your resume.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2011/02/21/5-reasons-why-your-onlinepresence-will-replace-your-resume-in-10-years/ Ben Schwabel. 21st February 2011
Survey says 37% of your prospective employers are looking you up on facebook
http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2012/04/18/survey-37-of-your-prospectiveemployers-are-looking-you-up-on-facebook/ Nancy Messieh . 18th April 2012
Reasons you need a vibrant digital profile.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/85broads/2012/11/30/7-reasons-you-need-a-vibrant-digitalprofile/ Joanne Tombrakos 30th November 2012
Effect of Social media on Employers http://www.s1jobs.com/blog/social-media-employers/
Lisa Davenport. 10th September 2014
Employers digging digital dirt on job applicants
http://news.sky.com/story/1307535/employers-digging-digital-dirt-on-job-applicants
Angela Barnes. 25th July 2014