As more and more employers look online to learn about potential
candidates, learning what they will find if they "Google" you is a key
aspect of the job hunt!
I’ve written before
about the dangers of mixing too much personal information in your
online profile that potential employers will find if they search online.
I’ve also suggested that you check your online profile frequently and set a “Google Alert” so you can keep up with what is posted online that is tied to your name.
But, what should you do if you don't like what you find?
Here are some resources for those who have unsavory information in their digital footprint. A report in careerbuilder.com, says that hiring managers checked out job candidates online and discovered these discrepancies:
- 31% lied about qualifications
- 24% were linked to criminal behavior
- 19% bad-mouthed their former company
- 19% boasted about drinking and doing drugs
- 15% shared confidential information from former employers
- 11% posted provocative photographs
- 8% used an unprofessional screen name
Here are some tips to help clean up your digital dirt:
- Reputation Defender: Find out everything that’s being said about you online and get rid of the content you don’t like.
- Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM) - Displace - push down - the negative listings with favorable ones and ones that you can control or influence.
- DefendMyName - Suppress negative Search Engine Listings about you or your company.
These resources may be useful, but you don’t want to be in the position of worrying about whether or not unsavory pictures or trash talking could have cost you an interview or a job. Be careful what you put online and you’ll never have to find out how well or quickly these services work!
