Google & Myspace - Check Yourself Out


by Genie Leigh - Date: 2007-04-20 - Word Count: 345 Share This!

Whether you are currently working or are looking for a job, it is important to know exactly what comes up if you "Google" your name online. Many recruiters are "Googling" candidates names as part of their final consideration process. Managers are starting to Google their employees as well (sometimes out of sheer curiosity and sometimes because they are digging for information on a problematic employee). Even HR professionals are using the internet as part of employee relations investigations such as harassment, drug use, etc.

Things to keep in mind:

* Recruiters are starting to check out myspace pages to get a better feel for who their candidates really are. All they have to do is search by your email address. Use one email address for professional activity and a totally different one for your personal stuff. Keep your personal and professional stuff as separate as possible.

* Keep your profiles as anonymous as possible. Use nicknames and fake or vague information. On your profile page, don't state your location as "San Diego, CA". Say something like, "West Coast" or "USA". If your employer manages to find your page, you don't want to give them anything to confirm that it is actually you.

* On the anonymity front.... If you really want to be cautious with this, be careful with pictures you post on your site. That is an instant giveaway. On Myspace, people can search for "Chloe" and then just skim the pictures of the search results for your picture. I don't have any pictures on my myspace page that actually show my face.

* Don't post stuff online that incriminates you. If you cheated your way past the new hire drug test, don't post something online about how you did it.

* If you have a criminal record or a charge from your past, look into having your records sealed or expunged. This will prevent others from being able to discover your "mishap", especially if it happened when you were a minor. Not every case is eligible to be sealed or expunged; ask an attorney if you qualify for this.


Related Tags: google, resume, myspace, career, job, job hunting, employee, candidate, recruiter

For more articles by this author, please go to: http://careergenie.blogspot.com

Looking for a career coach? Use my HR expertise to your benefit! If you need someone with HR experience who will help advise you based on what is in your best interest, I can help you! With my HR experience in employee relations and recruiting, I have coached many people in a variety of career-related areas.

Contact me at careergenie@mac.com for more information!

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