It is funny how the Internet has changed in the past 10 years. I believe the Internet is one of the strongest marketing tool to date if not the most powerful. The Internet has been integrated into every process we can think of. From work to leisure and everything in between. Today, the Internet is a necessity not just a want. We need it to perform our daily duties and for our professional careers. We pay our bills, shop, watch TV clips, learn, express our opinions and many other things online.

Today, blog writers and Internet user hold a lot of power.  With the sites such as Youtube, Flickr, and MySpace, along with blogs and questions/answer sites, Internets users can change the perception of a brand easily. Brands can be ruin by how they are represented online regardless if information is misrepresented.

The same is very true for those seeking opportunities. You can have a great looking resume and a fabulous cover letter or even brand yourself effectively, but if a web search conducted by a potential employer brings up negative things about you it will ruin your chances of gaining employment. If nothing comes on during a web search think of yourself as a brand…. Do you exist? This is especially important if you are an Executive!

I remember the days where a resume would be the only information employers had about an applicant before hiring him. Employers would call references to validate the story of an applicant.  Today the resume and references are just a piece of the story! Employers are looking for any information that would indicate what type of person you are. Where might you find information on a given individual…? The Internet!!

Soon I think anyone who is serious about the future of their career will have to create a positive online presence. You can do this by writing a blog about your area of interest. Another way is joining a professional networking site like Linkedin. There are many ways you can get your name out there.

 

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