Professionalism and Online Presence

Building and maintaining networks is a crucial part of being a professional, and increasingly this is taking place online as well as in person. Understanding how to behave in these different spaces is vital, as the implications of an unprofessional online presence can have a detrimental effect for anyone. Changes in the way employers recruit include the ease of searching and identifying suitable candidates via their LinkedIn or Handshake profiles. Having an active and visible presence is therefore important for students seeking placements and for recent graduates. This chapter provides tips on developing social media profiles to enhance employability and guidance on professional social networking, social media policy, copyright and data protection.