#Declutter your online image

Image courtesy stockimages at freedigitalphotos.net

Image courtesy photostock at freedigitalphotos.net

Ever Google yourself?  What comes up?  Is that how you want to be portrayed?  
For some, their online presence can be the kiss of death when it comes to a new job. According to CareerBuilder.com, 43% of employers used social media when making a decision about an applicant - and 51% of those that used social medial found a reason not to hire that candidate.   While you KNOW that employer will be looking at your LinkedIn profile, many potential employers will also review your Facebook page, Twitter feed or Tumblr blog (not to mention those fantastic YouTube videos) to determine if the you will be a good fit.  

Scared now?  Good!  It's time to organize your social media!  While there are people that make their career in creating a new online brand for you, there are some things you can do for yourself.

Organize your professional Social Media

1.  LinkedIn is for professional posting only!  LinkedIn members often policy each other, but please keep in mind this site is not meant to share your personal information.  Keep anything you post on here professional -whether or not it's job related.  What I mean by that is you can post or link to something that is thought-provoking or interesting that doesn't happen to completely line up with your current job.  Just make sure that it is in line with something you would have no trouble talking about in an interview with a prospective employer.

Clean up your personal Social Media

2.  Facebook is for your personal life!  Except, of course, anyone who has a separate page for their business.  But, it should be a separate page.  Do not mingle the two. You may write a bit about your personal life on a business page, but keep it short and sweet - nothing related to your all-night beer pong you played last weekend.  Speaking of things that probably should remain private - it's usually a good idea to not publish these items publicly on Facebook.  Lock down who can see your posts and pics.  There is a smaller chance that these will be available for the world to see.  This doesn't prevent your friends from sharing and tagging you, however.  So, be sure to ask them to remove any tags if it's not something you want shared.

3.  For both Facebook and Twitter, delete posts you've made that portray you negatively.  Not that your posts have to be boring, but don't dis your current boss, or flaunt the fact that you were sleeping on the job...again (unless naptime is sanctioned by your employer).

Not sure where to begin?

If you've started looking at your online image with a more critical eye and figured out it's not the best picture of you are, take action now - before you're trying to land your dream job.  Have you done a social media clean up?  If so, share with your readers in the Comments.  For those of you having trouble getting started, let. me help.  Call, email or complete the Contact Form today to schedule a time to discuss how you can put your best "tweet" forward!

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