Stop Google search from unlocking your digital dirt!

What is Digital dirt?

When I teach resume seminars for colleges or community organizations, I ask how many people have done a Google search on themselves. A few hands generally go up.

I then do a Google search for me. Since we also discuss the value of LinkedIn, this gives me the opportunity to show them how high LinkedIn profiles rank in Google. Typically, LinkedIn is high on page one of Google and followed closely by Facebook.

Why your career survival may depend on positive Google results

Never before in history has so much information been so easily accessible. Employers will Google before they hire. In fact, some of the online applications launch an immediate search on Google and all social media when you click submit. Do you really want to take chances that the results will be favorable or do you want to take control of your results?

Sure fire ways to improve your Google search results

1. The first step is to Google yourself. Make a note of what shows up on the first three pages. Is there any digital dirt?
2. Take control of your online reputation. By making intelligent and conscientious decisions about what you post, like, and comment, you can turn your average Google results into a positive representation of you.
3. Request removal of negative and incorrect information. You never know if you don’t ask. Here is a link to Google’s advice for removing information.
4. Set up Google alerts.  You will be notified by email for the words you choose. It can be your name, company name, or something else you deem worthy of setting alerts to know, like a product you want to hear about or just keeping up with news stories.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net