Yesterday, I met someone new at the local coffee shop. As well as exchanging phone numbers, I was also given the person’s Facebook profile and page information. Friend requests were sent, but I got curious and so did some more looking. I found their Linkedin account, which in turn led to their Twitter account, blog and website. In no time at all, I had found out a huge amount of information about this person, things that she hadn’t had time to share face to face, and what’s really scary is that it was all so easy to find and publicly available.
And this got me thinking about how much information we share everyday to complete strangers via the internet.Imagine I was a recruitment agent, or an employer who has received a job application. After sifting through the many candidates, those who may be suitable now end up next to the computer, where, instead of asking for references to find out about a persons character, l could do a simple Google search to see what information is available about them and what they say about themselves. Now ask yourself: what would a simple Google search say about you? If you don’t know, then check yourself out. Take a look at what accounts show up in a search, then look at what is publicly available.Those images of you getting drunk, that your friend tagged you in on Facebook, could be the difference between an interview or a letter saying you were unsuccessful this time.Once you have seen what others see about you in your digital footprint, you have the opportunity of doing some damage limitation. Look at your accounts from an employers point of view and hide or delete those posts or images show you in a poor light. You won’t be able to change some things that have been published, for example newspaper articles, so if someone has already taken a screenshot of you doing something like the #nek nominate craze, then I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do about them.
To keep an eye on your reputation in future, set up Google alerts with your name (and a few other details if your name is common) or your brand name. That way, you can see what people are saying about you and keep an eye on your personal brand.
If you found this blog post helpful, then please let me know, and if you feel you would benefit from some help with your LinkedIn profile, then consider getting a full, systematic review of your profile, or some one to one training and support.
If you check out my LinkedIn profile, you get access to a number of free resources and vouchers to my Udemy courses.