Behind The Scenes

Everything that happens on the internet can always be traced back to a singular person. People may think that what they search and post is private, but there is always a way for employers or other important people to see what they are doing. Posting just one wrong thing on the internet could greatly lessen someone’s chances of getting the job or position they strive for. On the contrary, if you post things that make you look really smart and an overachiever they could greatly increase their chances of acquiring the job they want. Keeping a positive digital footprint is crucial to making sure that people will make lasting first impressions.

The use of the word “footprint” is the perfect metaphor to describe what a digital footprint actually is. Footprints are one of the easiest ways hunters can see where animals have been and what type of animal they are. The same principle applies to a digital footprint in the sense that it shows what you have been doing on the internet as well as who you are. It is so important for the future that schools “show students how to create their own positive digital footprint and encourage them to do so”(Jalger). It is imperative that all people know how to keep a positive digital footprint and understand the risks of not having one.

There are lots of different ways one could make a positive digital footprint online. They even have companies nowadays that are “making use of Internet search engines to locate and evaluate online information about potential employees”(Jalger). In other words, companies are expanding their capabilities in being able to search everything on the internet. Thankfully, with many different ways they can find negative things about people, there are now many different ways they could find positive things. With the internet today being used more than ever it is really no surprise that these employers are making sure that they are scanning potential employees to find the best one. One of the biggest ways these employers keep those standards is by greatly monitoring what is being posted on their social media platforms. Social media platforms are one of the most used internet resources that people use today. Fortunately, a lot of the platforms “like Facebook and Twitter can be used in a proactive way to develop a positive online presence”(Jalger). Posting about pivotal achievements and accolades you have received are what can make you stand out from the rest of the competition. For example, a girl named Angela posted a blog about how she was “in Idaho at the Special Olympics Youth Activation Summit”(Angela). Posting about things like this not only shows that you are a good person, but also that you are willing to go out and strive for the things you care about. It is the only way for people to get a sense of who you are and what you care about without actually getting to know you.

“Anonymous computer hacker over abstract digital background. Obscured dark face in mask and hood. Data thief, internet attack, darknet fraud, dangerous viruses and cyber security.” by focusonmore.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0.