Establishing Your Digital Footprint

I am NOT a job snob.
I repeat, I am NOT A job snob.
I AM NOT A JOB SNOB.

You know that feeling where you first start dating or talking to someone? Nowadays when we are excited and getting to know someone--we do our research. When I am trying to decide whether or not I want to further pursue a relationship with this person, I really try to understand their reputation online.

The way someone represents themselves online with their digital footprint gives you a good taste of who they are. Whether they are on the America's Most Wanted list, blogging about political issues you could care less about, or even nothing at all. Aren't you curious to know where they place themselves on the map? What tracks are you looking for when searching someones footprints across the digital world?

This moral compass also stands true with my job search. When considering a company to work with, I am extremely interested in reviewing their digital footprint. Today, I received an interview request for an office assistant position. Upon my google search of the company I found lots of things that IMMEDIATELY rubbed my 'PR SELF' the wrong way.

• Their website is completely outdated: the formatting errors are horrific, the font is hard to read and inconsistent, the website lacks any significant call to action and looks like it stepped out of a '2002 I don't understand promoting my business horror film.' Their contact us page bland, as if it only pulled text from a phonebook. The images across the website are stretched and not sized correctly, making their company office look like a stretched out strand of silly putty.

• No footprint on social media: Where are you? I googled and googled, digging for any trace of a social media presence-- nothing. I sat at my computer in awe. Shall I say more? Who are we kidding, this really rubbed me the wrong way.

I re-read the job description. Office management, cold calling, and B2B sales. Why, Why, Why does this business think they can't get sales without any type of PR/Social Media presence on the web and within the community? I don't care WHAT TYPE of work it is or WHAT TYPE of excuse they had. You must remember, there is no excuse. 

If you or your business have yet to create your own online footprint, my one word of advice for you is...Get to it!

Obviously don't just take a stab in the wind, make a plan. Think over some of the following thoughts:

• Define your target audience.
• Plan on how to develop a relationship with them.
• Disseminate what you want your audience to know about you.
• Rediscover and ponder, what issues matters for you or your business. Think Values.
• Lastly, remember to meditate on the moments that make you human and puts you on the same level.

I could go on and on in regards to developing a plan, executing, and sticking to it... however, I'd like to jump back as to why I am a job snob.

At the end of the day, I think it would drive me absolutely bonkers trying to assist a company's betterment if they have not tackled the internet and all of the beauties it has to offer them and their business. In good conscience, I could not accept a job with a company who did not have a good online presence unless they were willing to work on it or let me help them. Inhibit, Don't Prohibit. 

OH YEAH. Did I mention how much I love Public Relations, Social Media, and Communications? E-Commerce & Social Media baby! That's where we are headed. Embrace it, live it, love it, and challenge yourself to grow from it.

What's important to you about your digital footprint? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.