[MUSIC PLAYING] - Hi, everyone. My name is Meghan Houle and I'm a senior recruiter here with The Bowerman Group. I wanted to share some thoughts with you today on managing your professional profile and keeping up with the digital media space. 

Let's face it, social media is all around us and it is the way that people are staying connected these days. It is so important that you're managing your personal online brand professionally as you navigate through your career. 

Think about it. When you put yourself out there to potential employers, recruiters, and employers alike are using Google to get more information about prospective candidates. Because of this, it is so critical to keep your professional profile up-to-date, especially if you use LinkedIn as a platform to be visible in the social media job world. 

If you have not touched your LinkedIn since 2009, it's time to clean it up. And with LinkedIn, it's all about attention to detail. Making sure your industry experience, dates, and timeline match up with your resume, you would really be amazed how many profiles we see of candidates that show two or more current positions. 

On your LinkedIn page, it is always good to add a bio to speak to who you are, highlighting key successes, your passions, awards, and even hobbies. Be sure to add in your education and any other certifications you may have as well. This all contributes to building a strong professional presence, ensuring that all your information is up-to-date and accurate. 

The final step, and arguably the most important in the world of fashion and luxe brands especially, is adding a good professional profile picture. With all of our smartphones out there, I'm sure you can find a way to take a good selfie. It is important to put a face with the name when you come up in searches. And, again, I can guarantee that the hiring authority is looking at your profile online as soon as your resume pops up as someone of interest. So you only have one chance to make a great first impression. 

Another point to think about in the professional online space is how you post and contribute to certain platforms and how it aligns with your personal brand message. You should always stay true and consistent on how you want to be perceived by employers. Do not post something just to post. Inspire people with a motivational quote or an interesting read. Give feedback but also play nice in the sandbox, so to speak. And try not to overshare or speak directly to politics. 

Remember, your digital footprint cannot ever really be deleted. And it is the present and future of how we are connecting. Although us as recruiters can make an important difference in your presentation to hiring authorities, your online presence must support that presentation. And when your online platform works in harmony with your personal brand message, it can really help you get noticed in the right way. 

Thank you so much for watching this video. And as always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to us. 

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