This Week's Herman Trend Alert Demand-Driven Workforce Development

The Herman Trend Alert February 20, 2008 Digital Dirt Hurts Candidates According to the executive recruiter, Execunet, a large majority of recruiters used search engines in 2007 to "uncover information about candidates". In fact, the number is a whopping 83.2 percent---an increase of 11.4 percent over the percentage of recruiters using the Internet in 2005. Recruiters are using online information to augment resumes. Moreover, here is the real news: 43 percent said they eliminated candidates based on this "digital dirt"---before even making the first phone calls. That percentage has increased by a full 17 percent over the 2005 number (26 percent). Execunet believes that "Proactive Online Reputation Management is as critical to executive success as a polished résumé, a strong network, and a full set of leadership skills". They want to ensure that digital dirt does not derail job searches for executives by giving them a blueprint for taking control of their online reputations. In their latest report, "Dealing with your Digital Dirt v2.5", they offer a list of specific actions people can take to create an online presence that supports their career goals. Execunet offers three key suggestions for online reputation management: Know what's already out there. More than three-quarters of executives report that they have done Internet searches on their own names, which means that nearly 25 percent still have no idea what digital dirt may be lurking. Create a positive online presence. A website to showcase professional accomplishments; a blog that demonstrates consistent thought leadership; and published articles are all ways executives may positively position themselves. Continually monitor their names. By establishing an automated "self-search" for their names with Google, Yahoo!, and Windows Live Alerts, executives may effortlessly discover what the press and others have said about them. As use of the Internet increases, executives and others will have to be more vigilant to ensure that any digital dirt that is out there is either neutralized or eliminated. Then there is the problem of our younger workers who sometimes place compromising videos or other damaging information on MySpace, FaceBook, or YouTube without consideration of the consequences. . . Digital dirt is an issue for all generations. © Copyright 1998-2008 by The Herman Group, Inc. -- reproduction for publication is encouraged, with the following attribution: From "The Herman Trend Alert," by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists. (800) 227-3566 or http://www.hermangroup.com. The Herman Trend Alert is a trademark of The Herman Group, Inc." DON'T BE LEFT BEHIND! If you've been thinking about attending our valuable Employee Retention Specialist Certificate Program, don't delay--only three spaces remain. With the employment market heating up, many positions are literally impossible to fill. Attend this course and you will learn dozens of low-/no-cost valuable strategies to attract and retain the talent you need. Recertification credit from HRCI. Next program: May 22-23, Charleston, SC. Call Carol at 336-282-9370 or visit http://www.employeeretentionspecialist.com. GET INSIDE THE MINDS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES Find out what's really going on inside the hearts and minds of your employees. Our InnerViews interviewing service uses SPHRs and PHRs, certified human resource professionals to probe for the information you really need to know. Exit and Stay Interviews, as well as Why-Didn't-You-Take-Our-Offer Interviews. Call Rosalie Catalano at 937-648-1918 or read more at: http://www.hermangroup.com/retentionconnection/exit_interviews.html. NEW BABY BONUS Book Joyce to speak on the West Coast in 2008 and receive 100 of her books of your choosing. There is a new baby in the family, Spencer Jay, and Joyce would appreciate more opportunities to watch him grow. For more about Joyce, visit http://www.hermangroup.com/joyce.html or call Joyce at 336-210-3548. Herman Trend Alerts are produced by the Herman Group, strategic business futurists, Certified Management Consultants, authors, and professional speakers. New subscribers are welcome. There is no charge for this public service. The Herman Trend Alert is received by over 30,000 subscribers in 78 countries, in addition to other websites and printed magazines. Do you enjoy receiving this weekly e-mail update? Contact us about our co-branded Trend Alert service. Click here to sign up for the Herman Trend Alert. Subscribe or Unsubscribe to weekly Herman Trend Alert View this week's Herman Trend Alert Archived Weekly Herman Trend Alerts

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