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Are you an ego surfer?

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12th May 2010
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Ever Googled yourself? You're not alone, according to a new survey. Read on for some top tips on how to make your online footprint work for you.

Although some might dub it egosurfing, others might call it a wise career move to conduct a web search to see what information is available online about you. After all, what is visible to you also is visible to potential employers.

In a recent survey, 69% of workers interviewed said they have entered their name in one or more search engines to see what results were displayed. The survey was developed by Accountemps, a specialised staffing service for temporary accounting, finance, and bookkeeping professionals. It was conducted by an independent research firm and is based on interviews with 443 workers at least 18 years of age and employed full or part time in an office environment.
 
Workers were asked, "Have you ever conducted a search on your own name using a search engine?" Their responses:

  •     Yes: 69%
  •     No: 31%

"While all professionals should protect their reputation by monitoring their online presence, this is especially critical for job seekers," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Job Hunting for Dummies. "Many employers now routinely perform Internet searches to quickly learn about applicants' interests, experience, and industry involvement."
 
Accountemps offers the following five tips for making your online footprint work for you:

  1. Know what's out there: Set alerts using Google or other tracking services to receive a notification each time something new is said about you, and delete any content that could be seen as unprofessional or controversial. If you find unflattering material you cannot remove, be prepared to explain if a hiring manager asks about it.
  2. Take advantage of privacy settings: If you belong to social networking sites or have a personal blog, adjust your privacy settings so you control who has access.
  3. Contribute to the conversation: As appropriate, comment on articles of interest to you and your field, and consider writing columns for industry organisations.
  4. Exercise discretion: Be aware that whatever you post might be seen by potential employers, and give careful consideration to how statements you make might be interpreted. While you want to show you have a well-informed opinion, keep your comments constructive, and avoid disparaging others.
  5. Keep your profiles current: Make sure your professional profiles on sites such as Google and LinkedIn are up-to-date and highlight your experience.

"Job seekers need to pay attention to what they share online – including contributed content, article comments, and photos – and take steps to ensure the image they project is professional," advised Messmer.
 

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