Whether you are a technology guru or a marketing executive, you should accept that more than 80% of recruiters and potential employers will "Google" you long before they call you for an interview. Surprised? That's the new world of Job Search 2.0.
Have you ever Googled yourself to see what search results come up? If not, you should get into the practice of doing so regularly.
Why? If there is inaccurate, unflattering information about you floating in the world wide web, you want to catch it before you are actively job searching.
What is funny is that on the flip side - if you Google yourself and nothing pops up - that's just as bad in the eyes of recruiters and potential employers.
One of my colleagues and a personal branding guru, William Arruda offers this food for thought....which category do you fall into?
Digitally disguised: Scary...you don't exist. You have no online identity and anyone researching you come up with zero results.
Digitally dissed: Okay, so we see you, but what we see is not good. Any online information on you is inaccurate, inconsistent, and/or not flattering.
Digitally disastrous: Your name may come up with several search results, but is it really you or someone who has the same name. Are your personal profiles showing you in an unprofessional light?
Digitally dabbling: Good news...there is some relevant, branded information on you - maybe through your LinkedIn profile that ranks high in the Google results.
Digitally distinct: Everyone knows/can know your name. All the search results related to you are relevant, strategically positioned, strongly branded, and send out the message you want to potential employers.
Note: I actually pre-screened a potential, disastrous client by Googling her first. Try this unique tool to learn more about your online identity.
