The Digital Self

 The Digital Self The digital self is the persona you use when you’re online. Some people maintain one or more online identifies that are distinct from their “real world” selves; others have a single online self that’s more or less the same as the one they inhabit in the real world. Why is the digital self so important for your career? The simple reason is that once you go online as your real self, using your own name or appearance, you have an online presence that can be traced back to you in the real world. Your online presence is hard to hide, difficult to control, and easy for recruiters and hiring managers to find. Because of this, it’s important to manage your online identity carefully, to ensure that your public image—your brand—is presented in the best possible light. Elements of the Digital Self Your online identity is like an investment. You start out with a small amount of capital, and the way you use it over time determines how much you end up with later on. The difference