The Internet is filled with information. Anything you want to know is a click, swipe, or tap away – including information about you. As a professional, it’s absolutely essential that you manage your online reputation at all times. If you don’t, it can come back to haunt you.
Every job seeker needs to put managing their online reputation at the top of the to-do list. In today’s modern world, every time we post on social media, get mentioned in an online article, or get tagged in a photo we become searchable. No matter who you are, there are bound to be a few photos, stories, or news events that you wish you could erase.
We Googled You And Guess What We Found
Whether there are photos of you doing keg stands at a college party, mugshots after a night of bad decisions, or tags of you in an inappropriate Halloween costume, it’s bad news for you as a professional. It’s your job to actively manage your online reputation. Do it regularly because you never know what a clever recruiter might find hidden away on the Internet.
Luckily, it’s not too hard to manage your online reputation. Here’s what you need to do:
- Google Yourself
- Set Up Alerts
- Adjust Your Privacy Settings
- Edit Your Social Presence
- Build Your Brand & Promote Yourself
- Create Positive Content
- Actively Monitor Your Web Presence
- Keep Your Professional Life Separate From Your Personal Life
Now that you know how to manage your online reputation, it’s time to take action. If there’s anything that’s impossible to filter, it may be wise to contact an online reputation management professional to help you get over this job search hurdle. Or if there are some things you can’t erase, you’ll need to own up to your mistakes before your next potential employer finds out about them.
Build Your Web Presence To Get Noticed Online
Every single person in the world has an online reputation. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your online reputation works in your favor and not against you. Protect yourself and be mindful of what gets posted online. Think about this topic now, before it’s too late.
Best of luck.
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