"We place value on applicants with a strong digital presence and we have a lot of graduates coming through with their own websites and the most amazing Twitter feeds. We are all encouraged internally at IBM to build our digital eminence."

Ross went on to hand all the students attending a list of social media guidelines for those applying for jobs with tech firms, entitled 'Managing Reputation in the Digital World: IBM Recommendations for Applicants and Prospective Employees'.

It reads: "Each individual is responsible for their digital reputation, and should carefully and actively manage their reputation in the digital world, a world where information and images they post can go public and spread rapidly and can be seen and possibly considered by potential employers."

The guidelines advise students to think before they post on a social network, remain positive and constructive, to consider the long-term and to strive for professionalism.