Online Reputations: Balancing Personal And Professional In The Job Search - Aarushi Kapoor

Point of View
2 min readNov 11, 2023

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Image from Unsplash by Sergey Zolkin

In an age where personal branding is paramount, harnessing your online presence is key. My company recently sponsored a professional golfer, and our choice went beyond mere statistics; we sought alignment with our core values. Your social media presence is now a pivotal factor in success. Striking the right balance between free expression and reputation management empowers job seekers and employers alike.

An article from Forbes titled, “Online Reputations: Balancing Personal And Professional In The Job Search,” by Martin Rowinski discusses how individuals can attract the right career opportunities by aligning their social media profiles with their desired professional image, highlighting the need to balance freedom of expression with maintaining a positive personal brand, as it greatly influences how potential employers perceive and evaluate candidates.

“Building a positive online reputation can open new outlets for success, while a negative one can limit your opportunities.”

Firstly, focus on trends over isolated incidents. While emotional responses are natural, a continuous stream of negativity can be off-putting to employers. Posting political opinions is your right, but consider its impact on potential job opportunities.

Your online presence is, in essence, your personal brand. Freedom of speech has evolved with social media, and your choices reflect your brand. Employers increasingly rely on these profiles to gauge your personality and fit for their organizations. Ensure your online persona aligns with your desired career path.

“While a one-time expression of your personal opinion is unlikely to tarnish your reputation, a behavioral trend establishes those expressions as a part of who you are.”

Remember that you attract what you put out. Employers gauge your associations and lifestyle through your online presence. To ensure your online image aligns with your goals, curate your content and maintain a positive online presence. Having a discernible online reputation is vital. Employers prefer candidates with a track record that showcases their personality, interests, and a good reputation, making it easier to view them for their accomplishments. In today’s digital age, managing your online presence is an essential aspect of personal branding.

“I’ve found that aligning your online presence with a desired position or life that you want to lead is one of the best ways to assure that people take those desires seriously.”

Ultimately, striking a balance between free expression and reputation management is critical. Aligning your online persona with your career goals ensures that others perceive you in the way you intend. To find individuals who embody your vision, ensure your online presence reflects who you are and what you aspire to be.

Connect with Aarushi on LinkedIn.

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Point of View

A point of view is the angle of considering things. It’s a platform for people with a vision and a story to tell.