It’s a reality in today’s professional landscape that employers Google. Whether it’s a hiring manager trying to validate something about a candidate who has made a good impression during an interview or a new manager hoping to find out about the team she’s now supervising, the Internet has become the go-to resource for learning about what makes potential and current employees who they are. 

As such, it’s essential to have a clear sense of what your “online brand” says about you. This can be particularly relevant for survivors who may have used social media as a source of emotional support and encouragement during treatment but now prefer that some information they posted not be front and center in their digital footprint. 

Here are some suggestions from a recent article on The Job Network, for how to make sure yours is in the best possible shape.

1. Start by Googling yourself to get a sense of the overall picture created by your various posts and profiles over the years — and clean up (or get rid of) anything that you’d prefer no longer be public. Old posts can be deleted and friends’ pictures of/posts that mention you can be untagged to ensure that those less-relevant or outdated items are harder to find.
2. From there, you’ll want to think about generating some strategic, professionally oriented content that shines a light on the varied strengths and skills you bring to the table. Enhancing your social media presence by posting on sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter is a great way to get started, but you may also want to consider blogging or building a personal website that showcases your unique perspective on your current or desired field of work.
3. It’s also a good idea to tend to your online brand on a semi-regular basis. For example, once or twice a month, check to see if there are other people’s social media profiles/handles (e.g., industry leaders and influencers) that you should be following that provide up-to-date information about your field, as these can be rich sources of material for re-posting or blogging about. You might also try connecting with others who are active online who may be interested in following you and engaging in an ongoing dialogue about all the great content you’re sharing!

To read the full article on The Job Network site, click here, and for more on building and maintaining a top-notch online brand, be sure to check out the following CAC resources:

• “Cancer and Careers’ Guide to LinkedIn”
• “Online Reputation Management”
• “Building and Protecting Your Online Image”
• Webinar: Building an Effective LinkedIn Profile