Have you ever Googled your name?

If you are looking for a job and your hiring manager/recruiter searches your name online, what will they find on the first page of results?

It should be filled with results about you that is relevant to the industry you are trying to break in. If it isn’t, that’s a problem you need to fix. How you manage your digital presence is crucial to your personal brand.So, how can you do it?

You can show who you are, you can reach out to folks and get jobs/internships or you can build a network of people you can rely on, at the times of need.

Online Presence is 'MAKING YOUR MARK', digitally.

It should include all those data about you that you want your prospective clients or future employers/investors to know about. You need to build your visibility, keep it toned and be constantly on their radar. It takes a lot of time and patience; much more.

For the success you envisioned, you have to stand out in that noisy war zone out there. And the process starts while you’re graduating. A student has to draw attention; the best way to do it, is to create a personal brand right from the beginning.

You can’t wait for the cows to come home!

There are few things you can try to create a digital presence.

1) Portfolio Website:

Having a portfolio websites is a great way to showcase your work & skills to potential employers. It's an archive of your academic goals, achievements, professional growth and progress. You can create a portfolio website from scratch using Behance & Squarespace, with zero coding skills.

2) Blogs, Vlogs and Podcasts:

To be able to express yourself via a Blog/Vlog/Podcast is a talent that can take you a long way. You can establish yourself as an expert in the industry, express your ideas and be a problem solver.

3) LinkedIn

Self Explanatory! Dive into the world of networking with professionals and create a social proof of your skills, talents and industry knowledge.

By now you know a degree isn’t going to be enough to get you, your dream career.

4) Networking

Networking is conversation with a purpose. Start attending workshop and meet people in real. Be willing to listen and learn from them. Share your thoughts in way that when you leave the room, they should talk about your knowledge in the industry.

How 'digital presence' benefits students and graduates?

You, the millennial, are tech-savvy, no doubt! And thus, for you, food is delivered digitally, grocery shopping is available online, the government has gone digital and even the digital companies now tackle the complaints online, without you having to move your butt.

Why?

Well, digital and social media presence helps companies to be close to you and other target audience. In fact, companies like OnePlus and Xiaomi Technology built their brand (and empire) almost entirely online.

And so can you, the student of the millennium (literally).Whether you’ve just entered college, on the verge of graduating or already have, you need to be present digitally.

It helps you to -

? Showcase your skills.

? Share your learnings.

? Learn directly from industry experts.

? Be known in the industry you are trying to break in.

And the most important…..

? Build the brand-YOU.

How to build an Online Presence?

No, it doesn't mean making a profile on every social media websites available. It's much more than that.

Here's something from our potion we are brewing for you.

? Cut the negative, offensive and embarrassing content.

When a recruiter visits your profile, this is how they are going to perceive you.

? Create content:

Content is king You need to create content to remain relevant. Write about your assignments, projects, new topic covered in your classroom, your internships, projects and seminars.

? Find something you are passionate about and make it your niche.

Create your brand around this niche. Follow the right people in your niche and get them engage with your content.

? Create conversations.

Engage with accounts that resonates your niche.Remember, content is king but engagement is queen and you know who decides things.Share post's of experts in your industry and engage with their content to be constantly in their radar.

? Networking with like minded people.

When you are in a network of like minded people, you learn directly from industry experts the trends and changes in the industry you are trying to break in. Showcase your skills and achievements to an audience, other than your regular people by being an active member in communities, workshops and networking events.

Ever thought about having an online portfolio, instead of a resume?

No?

Then, you should, and here’s why –

?? It’s always online, “exposed” to the prospective employers and recruiters.

?? Through catchy visuals, a portfolio creates a livelier impact than a resume.

?? Unlike a resume – just listing your skills – a portfolio exhibits your capabilities.

?? A portfolio site allows people to know you – professionally as well as personally.

?? Through your portfolio, prospects can visit your social media profiles and contact you.

Those are some of the substantial benefits an online portfolio and a digital presence.

So, make sure you have a profound one.

For now, check these profession-specific portfolio websites :

? Medium – For bloggers and writers

? GitHub – For programmers and web developers

? Behance – For graphic designers and UI/UX architects

? YouTube – For sound artists and video producers

? Flickr – For photographers

If you aren’t controlling your digital presence, you’re losing the game to your competitor!

We are brewing a potion to help you out on this and we will be raising the curtains soon!

Until then, watch this video and let me know your thoughts:

Reachout if you need any help to build your online presence.

Remember what Albus Dumbledore said, "Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."