When recruiters google you

Link: SILICON VALLEY USERS GUIDE: How to look good when your recruiter googles you - Valleywag.

Great advice for job hunters who aren't so sure what will come up if they were to get googled. I'm sure most candidates wouldn't have any serious worries - but for those who may... the damage control here is straight forward - decide what areas you can control and edit them or make them private - such as personal blogs that reveal the more risqué you. For those that are out of your control (other people's blogs & websites), ask them for a favour if you can.

The thing to do also is to make sure your positive online presence and branding - are ranked higher and more visible. Do you have a professional blog, or are an active member of a network or community?

This reminds me of other advice I've come across for jobhunters & their online presence:

From Brazen Careerist:
Blogging Essential for a Good Career - there's no doubt that being found online can be a good thing - if done right

From Marketing Headhunter:
Don't Drog Blunk - Common sense. Don't commit anything to writing (paper or online) when inebriated and angry.

Your Blog is not your Resume - Just a reminder for some who feel their online presence just says it all. You still do need a resume if you want to be considered for a job.

I guess some may think it's a shame that we need to "edit" our online persona if we need to consider how a potential employer or client would perceive us. But you know what folks - that's just the way it is. Whatever you write in the blogosphere - be it your own blog or comments on others - it's a public domain that your boss and potential employers are a part of. If you need to do or say something that could be questionable keep it in private - through your private network.

Comments

[Andy Greider]

Hello -

Very valid comments. We're all now up against the Gorelephant - that unstoppable business entity that never forgets - called Google. Owning a page one presence online is very important for your name - and then linking that to the other things you want to SEO helps as well. Google me - Andy Greider - for a sample of how I did it. I now own page upon page of results...and I'm easy to find, plus I know what people will find.