BACKGROUND

There is no doubt that people tend to build excellent public image that would impress people. However, many of them may ignore their images online. Nowadays, almost everyone shares and posts their life or thoughts on the Internet, which would be a vivid mirror of people themselves. The HRs find it works and begin to take the jobseekers’ online image into account to choose the most suitable candidate apart from the traditional CVs or interviews.

Be Aware of Your Online Image

                                                                             ——by Andy Bloxham

Jobseekers have been warned that their social-networking pages profile could damage their employment prospects, after a study found that seven in ten employers now research candidates online. 

What should you do to get ahead in your career? Choose the four most important tips from this list. Compare your ideas in a group and try to  agree on a final choice. 

According to new figures released by Microsoft, checks on social-networking pages are now as important in the job-selection process as a CV or interview. 

The survey, which questioned human-resource managers at the top 100 companies in the UK, the US, Germany and France,  found that 70 per cent admitted to rejecting a candidate because of their online behaviour. 

But HR bosses also said that a strong image online could actually help job hunters to land their dream job Peter Cullen, of Microsoft, said: ‘Your online reputation is not something to be scared of, it’s something to be proactively managed. These days, it’s essential that web users cultivate the kind of online reputation that they would want an employer to see.’

Farhan Yasin, of online recruitment network Careerbuilder said: ‘Social networking is a great way to make connections with job opportunities and promote your personal brand across the Internet. People really need to make sure they are using this resource to their advantage, by conveying a professional image.’ 

But Mr Yasin cautioned job seekers to be aware of their online image even after landing the perfect job, after their own research found that 28 per cent  of employers had fired staff for content found on their social networking profile. He added, ‘A huge number of employers have taken action against staff for writing negative comments about the company or another employee on their social-networking page.’

【WORDS & EXPRESSIONS】

cultivate

v. If you cultivate an attitude, image, or skill, you try hard to develop it and make it stronger or better. 培养（态度、技巧等）；树立（形象、观念等）

e.g. He has written eight books and has cultivated the image of an elder statesman.

land

v. If you land something that is difficult to get and that many people want, you are successful in getting it. 获得

e.g. He landed a place on the graduate training scheme.

proactive

adj. Proactive actions are intended to cause changes, rather than just reacting to change. 积极行动的

e.g. In order to survive the competition a company should be proactive not reactive.

prospect

n. Someone’s prospects are their chances of being successful, especially in their career 成功的机会；前途

e.g. I chose to work abroad to improve my career prospects.

social networking

n. Social networking is the activity of using a particular website to contact other people and share information. 社交

e.g. Social networking is part of everyday life, both for consumer and business-to-business applications. 

 BACKGROUND

Ever since the overwhelming process of globalisation, many multinationals have been expanding their businesses all over the world. Inevitably, people began to work abroad either for a short time or long time. However, there are many problems related. Working abroad would not be easy and the motivations and the results may not be that satisfying. 

Overseas Experience

A period overseas is seen by many as an important addition to your CV. But how do you make sure that it really works to your advantage?

‘Think carefully about the job,’ says executive coach, Nicola Bunting. ‘Does it fit in with your career goals or are you being attracted by the lifestyle? Also before you go, you need to have a re-entry plan.’ Kevan Hall, chief executive of the international people management group, Global Integration, says you shouldn’t underestimate the culture shock. ‘Go out there beforehand. See what you’re getting into.’

Nigel Parslow, UK managing director of Harvey Nash executive search, says staying where you are may not be possible if you work for an organisation that has overseas operations. He adds that the experience you gain is also very attractive.

The biggest problem is family. This can be particularly hard for people in the middle of their careers who may have children at school. Ms Bunting says: ‘There’s your partner’s career too. Some people’s spouses try and commute back and I’d really advise against this as it makes an already stressful situation even more difficult.’

Mr Hall says: ‘There’s been a power shift to Asia, and that, coupled with low growth in America and Europe, means that particularly if you’re ambitious you might want to spend some time there.’

Many people say two to three years. But this will vary according to the country and organisation. Mr Parslow thinks that if you spend too long abroad, you can end up with a not entirely positive expat* label attached to you.

Complete the table with words from the passage.

Read paragraph 2 and decide whether these statements are true (T) or false (F). Correct the false ones.

If you...

【WORDS & EXPRESSIONS】

expat

n. an expat is someone who lives and works abroad, often for a long period. 旅居国外者，侨民

e.g. However, Joe Expat may not get much of a look-in.

commute

v. If you commute, you travel a long distance every day between your home and your place of work. 通勤

e.g. Mike commutes to London every day.

executive

adj. The executive sections and tasks of an organization are concerned with the making of decisions and with ensuring that decisions are carried out. 执行的

e.g. A successful job search needs to be as well organised as any other executive task. 

partner

n. Your partner is the person you are married to or are having a romantic or sexual relationship with. 配偶

e.g. Wanting other friends doesn't mean you don’t love your partner.