Embracing the blurred lines

“Authenticity” is essential in the development of our online professional profile. As we have embarked on topics such as the “Digital visitor-resident continuum” and “Multiple online identities”, the true judgment of “authenticity” is questionable. The issue of drawing the line between personal and professional is inevitable. However, we must realize that this line is getting blurry and as much as we do not want them to be, it is prominent (Forbes 2014). Rather than being cynical about this, might as well embrace it to realize the full potential of it! To achieve this, the development of an “authentic” online professional profile is imperative.

1. Personal Audit
“Why you are a complete idiot if you don’t Google yourself”. In this article, Roger Dooley (2014) discusses the psychology behind our online reputation. As more employers are currently relying on the Web to seek out talent and perform employment background search (Forbes 2011), this would be a crucial step in creating an “authentic” online professional profile.

2. Personal Branding
Upon completing the first step, there may be some things that you may not be too fond of. As we have realized by now, the control that we have over our “online identities” may be limited. This is where personal branding comes into play. Harvard Business Review (2013) reveals that branding is all about being “distinctive, predictable and meaningful”. Integration of all the social media platforms that you utilize may be the key to this. Curation of content on your social media platforms should not be disregarded. “Cleaning up” would be a much simpler term!

The growth of recruitment through social media is staggering. A study by Jobvite (2014) reveals that 73% of recruiters have hired a candidate through social media. But the real question is, what makes these people stand out?

3. “Hyperconnectivity”
Harvard Business Review (2013) reveals this “skill” as one of the three things to master in order to distinct yourself from the rest. But what exactly is “hyperconnectivity”? As defined in the article, it is the “optimization of online experience for others”. This plays a huge role in developing an “authentic” online professional profile. When a reputation is built upon “authenticity”, the credibility of the profile is increased dramatically.

I believe that the development of an “authentic” online professional profile is an iterative process. The user must be able to integrate and curate the content of his information wisely. Only then will the “authenticity” be unquestionable!

References:

Dooley, R., 2014. Why You Are a Complete Idiot If You Don’t Google Yourself. Available at: http://www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/articles/google-yourself.htm [Accessed December 3, 2014].

Forbes, 2011. 5 Reasons Why Your Online Presence Will Replace Your Resume in 10 years. Forbes. Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2011/02/21/5-reasons-why-your-online-presence-will-replace-your-resume-in-10-years/ [Accessed December 3, 2014].

Forbes, 2014. Trying To Manage Millennials? Give Up And Lead Them Instead. Forbes. Available at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/georgebradt/2014/05/27/trying-to-manage-millennials-give-up-and-lead-them-instead/ [Accessed December 3, 2014].

Jobvite, 2014. Social Recruiting Survey 2014, United States. Available at: https://www.jobvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Jobvite_SocialRecruiting_Survey2014.pdf.

Review, H.B., 2013. The Future of You. Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2013/01/the-future-of-you/ [Accessed December 3, 2014].

photo credit: Stuck in Customs via photopin cc

Online identities forming the “Semantic Web”

The argument for and against multiple online identities is inevitable. As I took on a very skeptical approach towards the topic, I was drawn into mostly the negative aspects that overshadow the real value of the argument. However, after gathering much insight from the various works of my peers, it was clear to me that I have been missing out on the constructive aspect of the argument.

I was very much drawn by Jeanne’s post on how our online identities may impact our employability. As she was discussing this from a view of having a distinct separation between personal and professional sphere, I realized that it was merely impossible to draw this line. After the Hangout#6 with Cristina Costa, I was intrigued by her view on “personal branding” of our online identity. I supported her stand on having a single identity, which we would be in much control of, rather than having multiple identities to draw the line.

Another work that I was pretty fascinated even though the point was briefly mentioned was Angie’s post. She mentioned about how it is a “marketers’ dream come true” when we “sign off” our personal data upon engaging in social media activities. This is prominent, as we have embarked on Web 2.0, where the primary focus is on “interactivity”. This is evident even on sites that require the use of cookies to collect data about our online engagement. As users, we have to be aware of the privacy issues that may be questionable. From a marketing perspective, this is simply astonishing.

The Web is slowly learning our identities, how we behave, who we are. I do strongly believe that with the existence of the “Semantic Web” in the not too distant future, our online identities will play a huge role both in the marketing perspective and our professional lives.

References:

Chu, J., 2014. Who are you, exactly? Available at: https://jeannechucy.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/who-are-you-online-identity/#respond [Accessed December 2, 2014].

Costa, C. & Torres, R., 2011. To be or not to be , the importance of Digital Identity in the networked society. Available at: http://eft.educom.pt/index.php/eft/article/view/216/126.

Ng, A., 2014. Is your digital footprint within your control? Available at: http://yjangie.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/is-your-digital-footprint-within-your-control/comment-page-1/#comment-9 [Accessed December 2, 2014].

TED, 2013. What will a future without secrets look like? TED. Available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/alessandro_acquisti_why_privacy_matters [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Wired, 2014. From E-Commerce to Web 3.0: Let the bots do the shopping. Wired. Available at: http://www.wired.com/2014/09/e-commerce-to-web-3-0/ [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Comments made on:

Chu, J., 2014. Who are you, exactly? Available at: https://jeannechucy.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/who-are-you-online-identity/#respond [Accessed December 2, 2014].

Ng, A., 2014. Is your digital footprint within your control? Available at: http://yjangie.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/is-your-digital-footprint-within-your-control/comment-page-1/#comment-9 [Accessed December 2, 2014].

An online identity, merely an illusion?

Before embarking on the argument for and against having more than one online identity, a proper definition of “online identity” is imperative.

As defined by Internet Society (2014), an online identity is made up of partial identities that represent “you” upon visiting various websites. This may be both voluntary upon leaving your details to create an account or even involuntary where someone who knows you, leave any details about you.

As how this term is defined, it automatically triggers an argument, whether is it really within our control to have an online identity. What more to have more than one online identity? Costa & Torres (2011) argued that while the dilemma of having a separate identity between personal and work is inevitable, the credibility is questioned when the two is separated. I do believe that there is some validity in the argument. While I myself have separate accounts to deal with personal and work, I have to say that it is merely an illusion. I am pretty sure most of us have tried “searching” ourselves on Google. The results are quite staggering and some of us have no idea what we are really in control of.

This control of our online identity may be questioned as we embarked on the Web 2.0, where the primary focus was on interactivity. Where the web was once a “static and passive” tool for the users, “anonymity” was a luxury for the users of the Web 1.0. Convenience has led a move towards the “interactive” web where our online identities are created. While the question whether one should have multiple identities online is merely an illusion: that we have created a “private account” that can only be accessed by those granted permission. But to what extent is this control within our hands.

The argument for and against multiple identities was not evaded on purpose in this post. However, it is imperative to understand that as we are slowly moving into the Web 3.0 also known as the “Semantic Web”, we are sacrificing our online identities for convenience once again. The question is whether it is worth it. As more details about us are being captured, the more valuable it is to organizations. Commercialization has created the Web this way and makes our identities even so much vulnerable. So will the argument for and against multiple identities still exist when we lack control in the first place?

References:

Costa, C. & Torres, R., 2011. To be or not to be , the importance of Digital Identity in the networked society. Available at: http://eft.educom.pt/index.php/eft/article/view/216/126.

PCWorld, 2012. Data Snatchers! The booming market for your online identity. PCWorld. Available at: http://www.pcworld.com/article/258034/data_snatchers_the_booming_market_for_your_online_identity.html [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Society, I., 2014. Online Identity: An Overview. Internet Society. Available at: http://www.internetsociety.org/online-identity-overview [Accessed December 1, 2014].

TED, 2013a. Everyday cybercime – and what you can do about it. TED. Available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/james_lyne_everyday_cybercrime_and_what_you_can_do_about_it?awesm=on.ted.com_b07kc [Accessed December 1, 2014].

TED, 2013b. What will a future without secrets look like? TED. Available at: http://www.ted.com/talks/alessandro_acquisti_why_privacy_matters [Accessed December 1, 2014].

Wired, 2014. From E-Commerce to Web 3.0: Let the bots do the shopping. Wired. Available at: http://www.wired.com/2014/09/e-commerce-to-web-3-0/ [Accessed December 1, 2014].

photo credit: Yuri Yu. Samoilov via photopin cc