Your Profile Online

Wherever you go online—e-mail, instant messaging, your website, your blog, your social networking website—you leave a footprint.

It’s easy for potential employers, co-workers and clients to check out your online profile—all they need to do is Google you (search your name on the Internet using the Google search engine).

Google yourself to find out what your online profile is.

Protecting your online profile

Take the following steps to make sure the content of your website, blog and social network website doesn’t have a negative effect on your work search:

• Avoid linking to any inappropriate websites from your online resumé, blog or website.
• Use the privacy provisions available at social networking websites to increase the privacy of your profile.
• Refer to your blog or your website in your resumé only if they are work-related and relevant.
• Be cautious about what you say and how you say it online. Never post in anger.
• Ensure that your instant messaging name and your e-mail name and address sound professional.
• Create a free e-mail address for work search
• Block access to or delete any information you wouldn’t want an employer to see.