Introduction

This briefing paper focuses on the relevance of digital profiles and how they are important
as an employability tool. It will discuss the background to the problem, current research,
issues surrounding the topic and implications for students and employers that affect
employability as well as the conclusion about the problems and challenges with
recommendations.
Background
A digital profile is in simpler terms an online e-portfolio where you can share connections
and brand yourself on the internet, using platforms like LinkedIn or Weebly. Through a
digital profile you can promote yourself and make important connections that can further
your career. A digital profile defined by Forbes (2014) is a reflection of who you are, what
youve done and what youd like to do. Employability is defined by Yorke (2006) a set of
achievements, skills, understandings and personal attributes that make graduates more
likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen occupations, which benefits
themselves, the workforce, the community and the economy
Digital profiles are very important when it comes to employability, society is surrounded by
the internet and many employers use social networking websites to shortlist candidates and
use it as a part of their recruitment process. Sharpe, Beetham and De Freitas (2010) say that
social networkings rapid rise to prominence in the lives of individuals and learners of all
ages, has prompted great enthusiasm amongst educators. It is very important that students
whilst at university are taught how to promote themselves using digital profiles in an
effective professional way. Deckers and Lacy (2010) Say self-promotion will help to make
important connections that will further a career and improve ones professional standing.
They say that LinkedIn is the one place on the web where an individual can demonstrate
every aspect of what makes them valuable to an employer or a client. The career summary
section on LinkedIn is the most important part of the profile. According to Bernstein
(n.d.) First impressions count and the LinkedIn summary is the first opportunity a potential
employer has to find out who a person is beyond a photo and a job title. The relevance of

digital profiles need to be explored in education so that students are aware of the impact it
can have, employability wise.
Current research and issues
Sharpe, Beetham and De Freitas (2010) emphasise that surveys of usage have monitored
the use of web technologies and in the UK JISC/Ipsos Mori surveys found that 65 percent of
school leavers regularly used social networking sites in 2007 and this had risen by 93
percent of the same cohort in the students first year of university. This is why digital
profiles are important for students and graduates because these students have grown up
with the internet world and it is important to connect this to employability prospects, which
is why employers use social networking sites to find their candidates and higher education
institutions need to integrate social media effectively in the curriculum. Keyong ju-seo
(2013) says that recognising the power of social media to transform learning, educators are
now integrating it in instruction, and has a tremendous popularity in learners social lives and
although popular this doesnt guarantee that students are prepared to use them for
educational purposes.
Implications students
Students need to be aware of the help and career building that is offered to them in higher
education, For example Southampton Solent university provides career building workshops
and daily advice for students so that they dont feel lost when they hear the word
employability. Students need to be able to brand themselves. Decker and Lacy (2010)
classify that there are five universal objects of personal branding, they are discovering your
passion, being bold, telling your story, creating relationships and taking action. Students
need to be taught how to promote themselves and become their own brand. They may not
realise that what they decide to post on social networking sites can or may be accessed by
their potential and future employers and can often paint a picture that can hinder or
enhance a students professional career.
Neal (2012) says social networks like twitter should be used carefully if planned on using as
part of academic work, Students should be aware that everything they post can be seen and
they will be in the public eye, it is important that this is relayed in higher education as it can
affect their employability chances. Positively institutions now recognise the strategic

importance of social software and have policies in place to support all aspects of a learners
lifestyle from recruitment to process. This shows higher education is adapting and moving
with the age of the social network world which is positive for not only students but
employers ensure that students are well equipped with the professional skills to enter the
working world.
Implications for higher education
A report from Gov.uk from 2010-11 shows that students are indeed eager to succeed at
higher education, it states the top three reasons cited in the 2010-11 NUS student
experience survey were: to gain qualifications (45 per cent), it is necessary to have a
university degree for the career I want to follow (36 per cent) and improve my earning
potential (27 per cent). Four out of five students state that improving their career
opportunities is one of the main goals in entering higher education. According to the 2011
CBI and NUS publication Working towards your future Graduates contribute to economic
growth by providing a highly qualified workforce, and the research, innovation and
entrepreneurship that make the UK globally competitive. Higher education is key to
developing the high-level skills base of the population to meet the needs of businesses,
industry and the professions. Edudemic (2013) says Social media prepares young workers
to become great marketers. It has become essential for major businesses to include a social
media marketing strategy and students today are the people filling these positions.
Offa.org (2014) suggests that higher education benefits everyone. It helps individuals to
unlock their potential, it is one of the best pathways to achieving a rewarding career and it
contributes significantly to physical and mental wellbeing. It also benefits the wider
economy creating jobs, helping businesses prosper by providing them with highly qualified
and skilled staff, and stimulating long-term economic growth with this said students need to
use the facilities available for them in higher education to succeed their potential goals
Implications employers
Employers want to know that their employees can use social media effectively and that
starts with the public profile they have of themselves. The Guardian (2014) states that social
media is changing the parameters of how people and organisations interact and operate.
Students need to know how to use it not just for jobs, but also to shape their online

presence and convey the skills they have with ease. The demand for employees to be
digitally literate in business environments is rising. So it is crucial that teaching
methodologies evolve and adapt to provide students with digital and social media skills.
Rachel Davies, a graduate in graphic design at Nottingham Trent University, says: "I think
having a blog is a great way of showing employers what you can do before you even get to
the interview stage. I definitely think my blog helped me get my internship." This extract
from a report by the Guardian (2014) says that students should use social media as a way to
promote themselves and get seen by future employers, if you know how to use social media
effectively you could end up with a dream job. Or even an internship that leads to a
permanent position. Employers are able to shortlist candidates by using online platforms. If
students apply themselves correctly and use this to their advantage they could secure their
dream career.
Conclusion or recommendations
After looking at all the evidence that has been explored, digital profiles are very relevant as
an employability tool. Teachers need to work closely with employers to find out what they
are looking for and then incorporate this within their teaching skills, so students know
exactly what employers are looking for, that way students can prepare themselves and seek
the advice they need. Doing this will increase the amount of students that are employed
once they leave University rather that unemployed.

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