| In a survey by Microsoft that was presented during | | | | market, here are a few things you can do to help |
| the 4th annual Data Privacy Day, the facts about how | | | | manage your online content and do appropriate |
| employers view online information were brought to the | | | | damage control when necessary: |
| surface. According to the report, 70% of employers | | | | 1. Google yourself. On a regular basis, do a Google |
| have rejected applicants based on the information | | | | search of yourself and see what information comes |
| found online about the applicant. The survey also found | | | | up. In the event someone posted something about you, |
| other very important information: | | | | it will give you the necessary "heads-up" to take action. |
| * Among U.S. recruiters and HR professionals | | | | Additionally, this can aid you in identifying how much is |
| surveyed, 85% say that a positive online reputation | | | | on the web about you. The more positive information, |
| influences their hiring decisions at least to some extent. | | | | the better. |
| Nearly 50% say that a strong online reputation | | | | 2. Set up a Google Alert for your name. Google Alerts |
| influences their decisions to a great extent. | | | | is a free service and very easy to set up. This service |
| * While most consumers find it reasonable that | | | | will send you an email summary according to your |
| recruiters and HR professionals check online content, | | | | preferred time frame (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly) of |
| there is a greater concern about recruiter scrutiny of | | | | any and all mentions of your name online. |
| photos, videos, and other personal content contained in | | | | 3. Create positive content. Get involved on creating |
| blogs, personal social network pages, organizations | | | | your own online reputation in a proactive manner. Write |
| they are affiliated with, and other related information. | | | | a blog. Secure a domain in your own name - - and |
| * 75% of recruiters and HR professionals report their | | | | create a website where you manage your personal |
| companies have formal policies in place requiring | | | | brand. Comment positively and critically on other blogs. |
| personnel to research applicants online. | | | | Link your email newsletters to social media sites so the |
| * Consumers surveyed use a variety of methods to | | | | outside world can tap your knowledge via Twitter, |
| monitor and manage their online reputation. Most | | | | Facebook, Delicious, and others. |
| notably, they use multiple personas, search for | | | | 4. Use to create your own personal and professional |
| information about themselves, adjust privacy settings | | | | press releases. The basic service at is free and press |
| and refrain from posting content they believe could | | | | releases remain active for 30 days. When you submit |
| damage their reputation. | | | | a press release, they ping it to all the social media |
| * Unfortunately, between 30% and 35% of consumers | | | | websites on the web, so the information gets passed |
| don't feel their online reputation affects either their | | | | around and it creates a digital trail. This is a great way |
| personal or professional life. As a result, they are not | | | | to positively boost your Google search results. |
| taking steps to manage their reputations. | | | | 5. Use a service like LinkedIn to manage your |
| Why are companies pursuing this policy? While it may | | | | professional profile. LinkedIn is the largest business-only |
| seem obvious, let's look at the primary reason: Private | | | | online networking site. In short, LinkedIn is your online |
| actions of employees have an increasing impact on | | | | resume as well as a great tool to network with other |
| the reputation of their employers in the new online | | | | like-minded professionals, participate in lead sharing, and |
| world of information. It is very easy for embarrassing | | | | share great ideas. Because of this, it rates very high |
| information to make headlines and spread around the | | | | on Google searches. |
| world in minutes, if not seconds. Concerns about | | | | Ultimately everyone must learn to manage their |
| lifestyle, inappropriate comments, unsuitable photos and | | | | personal brand. Whether they do it by themselves or |
| videos are all at the top of the list of reasons given for | | | | with a coach, it can mean the difference between |
| rejecting a candidate. | | | | getting a job or not. In a tight job market where there |
| Over the next five years, employers say they expect | | | | are more applicants than jobs, it is more important than |
| to increase the amount of research done online of | | | | ever to make sure you shine in the online world. |
| candidates. Unless you are dropping out of the job | | | | |