Should You Watch Yourself Online?
You are out looking for a new job. You’ve heard how prospective employers are researching folks like you online. They’re finding pictures of you at last year’s Halloween party, they got you on the beach at last year’s spring break and they’ve read the post your friend wrote about you at his blog. You know, the one that involves drinking, the swimming pool, your girlfriend, your other friend’s girlfriend and the cool whip. I don’t want to ask. Should you be concerned? Heck yes!
No matter how fair or unfair it is, you are being judged. Yes, it’s your private life and yes, you should be able to do as you please. And you can. But you’re still being judged. Why not make this work in your favor? (My suggestion doesn’t involve cool whip).
In the future we’ll be talking more about developing a focused online presence that showcases who you are and what you can do, but for now, let’s keep it simple.
Be respectful – when you’re writing and commenting online, be decent to the other guy. I listened in on an online HVAC talk forum the other day. There was a technician who is in his early twenties participating in a discussion with senior techs. As the conversation begins to degenerate, the tech has this to say: “but anyway too all the grumpy guys who are talking about me *middle fingers*”
The grumpy guys are mostly senior technicians who, if treated with respect, would give this guy the world. If I were a service manager and thinking about hiring this twenty-something year old, and I discovered what he said online, I wouldn’t give him one more second of consideration.
Help people out – In this same online discussion two or three other technicians are offering the young tech advice, encouraging him to be respectful. If as a hiring service manager I came upon these guys online, I would want to know more about them.
If you participate in an online forum or comment on someone’s blog or write on your Facebook page, always try to help people out.
Online security settings – Most communities like Facebook, allow you to set your own security settings. This way you can only allow access to people you know. Make sure to make adjustments accordingly.
Lets say you realized that your online behavior will cost you the opportunity to get jobs. While it’s impossible to go back and erase what you’ve done, first, begin to help people online. Or if you have little experience, demonstrate online that you are a student who wants to learn. After awhile a pattern of good behavior will emerge online. A competent hiring manager will notice this. You’ll still have a lot of work to do, in regards to your previous behavior, but at least you will not be a victim of the DELETE key.
