On Cue with Kafui Dey: Your digital footprint is your new CV—what does yours say?:

– LinkedIn tells your story, but consistency builds your legacy

There was a time when your CV lived quietly in a Word document, only waking up when you were job-hunting. Those days are over. In 2025, your digital footprint—the trail of posts, comments, and profile pictures you leave online—is your real CV. And unlike your traditional résumé, it’s updated daily, whether you like it or not.

Here’s the truth: before anyone hires you, collaborates with you, or even replies to your email, they Google you. And in that split second, your digital presence starts whispering your story. The question is—what is it saying?

1. Your online presence is your handshake

In the past, people judged you by your handshake. Firm meant confident, limp meant unsure, and crushing meant “never call this person again.” Now, your digital footprint does the greeting.

When someone lands on your LinkedIn or Instagram, they form an impression in seconds. A clear photo, a thoughtful bio, and posts that show what you care about—that’s your firm handshake. But a blurry selfie, outdated job title, and a feed filled with random rants? That’s a limp one.

In the professional world, perception is presentation. You don’t need to be a social media influencer; you just need to look like someone who takes themselves seriously.

2. Consistency beats cleverness

Some people appear online like comets—brilliant for a moment, then gone for years. They post one insightful update about leadership in 2021 and disappear until 2025. Others flood the timeline daily with motivational quotes, cat videos, and weekend selfies.

Here’s the secret: the digital world rewards consistency, not chaos. You don’t have to post every day, but show up regularly. Share what you’re learning, celebrate others’ wins, comment thoughtfully. That slow, steady visibility builds credibility.

Think of it this way—LinkedIn tells your story, but consistency builds your legacy.

3. What story are you telling?

Your digital footprint isn’t just about what you say—it’s what people see repeatedly. Every post, comment, and share paints a picture of your values and competence.

If your posts are always angry or sarcastic, you’ll be branded as difficult. If you only post when you’re job-hunting, people see desperation, not dedication. But if you use your platforms to share ideas, celebrate others, and add value, people see leadership—even if your job title doesn’t say “leader.”

Remember: the internet has a long memory. Your 2012 Facebook rant might still be out there. So before you post, ask: “Would I be proud to stand by this in five years?”

4. LinkedIn is your digital home, not a billboard

Many Africans treat LinkedIn like an online CV that needs updating once a decade. But it’s much more powerful than that. It’s your professional stage, classroom, and networking event—all rolled into one.

Share your projects, lessons learned, even your failures. Comment intelligently on industry posts. Congratulate others sincerely. That’s how opportunities find you. Recruiters, collaborators, and clients aren’t just scrolling for degrees—they’re searching for voices.

So, if your last activity on LinkedIn was “Happy New Year 2023,” it’s time for a revival.

5. Audit yourself before others do

Every few months, Google your name. What comes up? Your old MySpace profile? A photo from your university party days? Or maybe… nothing at all? Silence online can be as bad as noise. In a digital economy, invisibility is the new irrelevance.

Curate your presence the way you’d prepare for a job interview. Update your bio. Choose a professional headshot. Tell your story intentionally. Because whether you’re an entrepreneur in Accra, a banker in Nairobi, or a creative in Lagos, your online reputation is working for—or against—you every day.

The bottom line

Your digital footprint is more than posts and pixels—it’s your professional echo. It speaks when you’re not in the room, and it travels farther than your business card ever could.

So take charge of your narrative. Be visible, be authentic, and above all, be consistent. Because in the modern marketplace, your next opportunity might not come from a handshake—it might come from a click.

>>> Need training? Email [email protected]

The post On Cue with Kafui Dey: Your digital footprint is your new CV—what does yours say?: appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

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