Chapter 7

Facing Your Online Reputation

In This Chapter

arrow Assessing your online reputation

arrow Figuring out what to do if your reputation is bad (or nonexistent)

arrow Keeping a spotless online reputation throughout your career

When someone conducts a Google search of your name, the information that surfaces about you makes up your online reputation. These artifacts can be articles written by or about you, photos or videos of you, or online profiles of people with your name. Even unwanted pictures of you from Facebook may pop up (think last year’s Halloween party).

remember.eps Your online reputation is particularly critical when searching for a job in today’s market. Why? Because hiring managers are going to Google you. Both large and small companies research candidates online before a job interview; indeed, Googling prospective hires is part of today’s standard operating procedure.

Have you ever Googled yourself? If you have, you may know how misleading the results can be. Imagine a potential hiring manager Googling you and forming an opinion based on seeing your very tight Catwoman costume. Scary, isn’t ...

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