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How to manage your online reputation
We live in the digital age. Beyond that, we live in a time when anyone, anywhere can share any piece of information they like. And we have many ways for doing so – Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and blogs are just a few of the sites or tools we use to connect and share with others all over the world.
More than likely, you’re a participant – but even if you aren’t actively posting information about yourself online, there is a very good chance that information about you exists on the Internet. Many things about being online makes our lives better. However, when it comes to job searching, the way we use the Internet today can have serious implications.
In this world, you need to manage your online reputation. It can make the difference between landing an interview and never hearing back after submitting your CV – and always wondering what went wrong.
So, how do you manage your online reputation? Here are some tips:
1. Google yourself
The first step to managing your online reputation is to Google yourself. You need to see what others see when they enter your name into a search engine. Carefully consider the results. Do they paint an accurate picture of who you are? Did any results come up that make you uncomfortable? Do you see anything that you wouldn’t want a recruiter or your future boss to see? Go beyond the first page – check the first five pages (as well as the image results) to get a really good idea of the information you’re putting out into cyberspace.
If you are unhappy with your search results, it’s time to take action to make them more reflective of who you are and how you want to be perceived. You may choose to delete some of your online accounts, or specific photos, videos, or updates you’ve posted. In some cases, you may need to ask friends to remove certain items from their online accounts or blogs. It can be an uncomfortable conversation to have, but it is necessary. It can take a few days for Google to register changes, so check back weekly to make sure that your changes are taking hold, and that your search results are becoming more appropriate for a job search.
Check out our Job Seeker Tools page for more tips & tricks!
2. Check your privacy settings
Remember that, while privacy settings are great, you can't count on them: everything you post online is public. While you’re waiting for your changes to register in Google, check the privacy settings for each of your online accounts. Consider all of the services you use regularly, as well as the ones you sometimes use. Consider upping the privacy settings on sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Unless you are extremely careful about what you post – and can trust your friends to be the same – make your privacy settings as limited as possible.
Check that the changes reflect your intentions by logging out and then trying to access your profiles – ensure that you’re happy with the results. Remember – it’s great to be connected via your online profiles, but only if they’re serving you, or at least not limiting you, throughout your job search and career.
3. Think before you post
When you're posting information online, be aware that everything is public. There is no guarantee that when you delete something, it is really gone. Your best bet is to assume that anyone in the world can see everything you post online, and to do so with a filter that reflects the perception that you’re looking to build of yourself.
Before posting something online, consider its implications. If you’re about to post something that you wouldn’t want a future employer to see, do not do it! Check your spelling and grammar, especially on more professional social networking sites like LinkedIn. Make sure that profile photos are appropriate – select headshots that you feel are a good representation of who you are.
The point is to be selective with the information you post online. While it is important to be yourself, it’s also important to understand that the web is public – and to act with this in mind.
Read More: LinkedIn Essentials for your job search
4. Be Proactive
You can do many things to improve your online reputation. Spend extra time on your LinkedIn profile – write an informative introduction to who you are, explain in point form the responsibilities at each of your previous jobs, and ask former employers to recommend you.
Use your Twitter account to post updates and links that are relevant to your industry and your career – and connect with other likeminded people by following them. You may even want to start a blog, using a free service like Wordpress.com, to share your thoughts as they relate to your dream job, industry, or career with the world.
You can also link all of these services across your online profiles, so that a recruiter looking you up online can easily get a sense of who you are – simply by clicking on the information that you’re providing them.
MAKE ONLINE WORK FOR YOU
By recognising that we live in the digital age and taking action to ensure that your online reputation lives up to your offline reputation, you can make the Internet work in your favour. By understanding how you appear online to someone who’s never met you, you can actually make potential employers excited to meet you in person – simply because of what they’ve seen from you online.
By following the tips outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring that the fact that you will be Googled won’t hold you back during your job hunt – or throughout your career.
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