When you are applying for a new job and starting to go through the application and interview process, the first thing many employers do is Google your name. This simple search can share a lot of information that you might not be aware of. With the click of a button, employers have access to your social media platforms, links to articles or different sites your name is attached to, and different pictures posted online of you. The different findings can either help or hurt you during your job search.
The first step to improving your online presence is to search your name. By googling your name, you can see what others see. This will help you determine your next steps. See if you can find your social media platforms or your friend’s platforms.
Next, evaluate the content you have found. Did some inappropriate pictures from college show up? Did you find a tweet from 2016 that had some inappropriate langue? Did you find a questionable picture of you at your friend’s wedding? Remember to also judge the good content! Were you interviewed for your college newspaper? Have you been shouted out on Linkedin?
Now that you have evaluated the content you can move on to deleting the bad and emphasizing the good. Delete or archive all the questionable pictures of yourself on Instagram or Facebook. Make sure to remove any tagged pictures as well. The other option is to just make your social media platforms private. This will stop anyone that doesn’t follow you from having access to any of these pictures or questionable content.
Once all the bad stuff is dealt with, you can start to emphasize the good. You can do this by making a new social media platform where you share all your accomplishments, whether that’s a shout-out on Linkedin or a fish you caught on the weekend. This will show employers all the good things about you.
Putting your best foot forward on social media and the internet is very important in today’s world. It can make or break your next job interview or even your next date. You have the power to control what people see about you online, so take your power back.
