Is Your Online Presence Ruining Your Job Search?

You've readied yourself for an executive job hunt, polishing up your resume, preparing your portfolio and dusting off that interview suit. But as your search starts to fill more and more of your waking hours, you might find out there's another component that needs your attention: your online presence.

Whether you realize it or not, recruiters are turning to the Web in droves to find out as much as possible about you-often PRIOR to contacting you for an interview.

Even more disconcerting, what employers find out about you online may compel them to remove you from consideration for a plum job.

In fact, the term "digital dirt" has been coined for precisely this reason, as more candidates are finding that potentially damaging online information can stop a job search in its tracks.

Here are some strategies for nurturing an online presence that will facilitate your success and help you to monitor your digital dirt, rather than letting it hinder your search:

Google yourself regularly to find out how others will see your information.

Given the importance of online information about you, it's imperative that you monitor the Web for your own data so that you're not caught off-guard during your job search.

Set up a Google Alert on your name, which allows you to monitor any fresh information about you that comes online. (Go to http://www.google.com/alerts to use this feature).

This tool acts as an automatic search agent for the criteria you provide, and allows you to receive quick notification by email of any new Web data that contain your name.

Watch for potentially negative information and address it-quickly.

One strategy for having a common name is to use a unique moniker, such as your first initial and middle name, for all online activities and your resume. This strategy is particularly useful for when someone with your name is garnering negative online attention, since it allows you to differentiate yourself.

Be sure to contact the source of any damaging information and either resolve the situation, or ask to have the data removed. Even if the other party agrees to the removal, it may take a few weeks for the information to slide a bit lower in search engine rankings.

If you find that negative data about you continue to appear, your best strategy is to counteract the effects by placing positive information online. This is best accomplished by creating an online profile through networking sites like LinkedIn or Facebook.

Of course, you'll also want to thoroughly prepare to address any damaging information during the interview process, should the subject arise.

Build your presence by creating at least one active online networking profile.

Creating an online profile practically guarantees that the data you provide-which will accurately and positively reflect your career history, of course-will rise to the top of searches on your name.

The reason? Search engines love fresh content, and the more you update your profile, the more prominently it will be featured at the TOP of search results on your name.

Choose one or two popular sites to get started, and create a profile that includes a professional summary of your skills.

Add a bullet-point list of your top achievements, along with keywords that represent your core competencies, and a description of your leadership abilities, in addition to your work history and degrees.

Keep in mind that the data you add are searchable by others, including recruiters. Add a descriptive title such as "Chief Technology Officer" or "Marketing Strategist" to generate hits on your profile.

Recruiters can and do find executive candidates through direct searches on networking sites-so be sure to add compelling information that enhances your leadership brand.

Be sure to use the networking site's import functionality to add "connections" to your profiles. Doing so will refresh the profile data and ensure that search engines will recognize its relevance for searches on your name.

Carefully monitor and cultivate your online presence over time.

As mentioned before, adding connections to your profiles is crucial to maintaining your online presence-and don't limit connection activity to your first sign-in. Rather, continually invite others to network with you, as this will broaden your exposure and maintain the freshness of your content.

In addition, publish articles or blog posts that add credence to your qualifications. Blogging, in particular, can help establish you as an expert on topics relevant to your field.

As with all online activity, be watchful of the image you create. Less-than-professional photos, casual blogging on an activity you'd rather keep quiet, or other potentially negative information can make its way to the Web with astonishing speed.

It's best to apply the "Wall Street Journal rule" to your online activities: if you wouldn't feel comfortable having it appear as front-page news in this publication, then it's best kept to yourself.

In summary, remember that the Internet is rapidly becoming your source of references for employers, whether you want it to or not.

It pays to be aware of the impact your online presence can have on your job search, and to control the information others can find out about your background.