LAST week, we talked about Facebook’s safety and your kids. But if you think that’s all there is it, then, think again! There’s much more to talk and think about when using the Internet; safely, that is, especially if you are seeking a job that requires an excellent personality. Most, if not all employers, look for this trait in prospective employees.

The Internet knows a lot about you! Yes, you! Maybe a tad too much! So, how do you clean up your Online image, so it reflects who you really are? Or, how you want a prospective employer to perceive you?

A study done by Microsoft — the developers of the famous Windows Operating System, which not so long ago launched its latest OS-Windows 8 — indicates that approximately 70% of Online recruiters have axed candidates because of search results that come up around their names. So, your identity Online is vital; one that needs to be kept clean, portraying the whole truth. I strongly recommend to people, especially teens and young adults, to desist from imputing/posting all those mendacious information they’re inclined to on the Internet; most of it is either false, or do not do you justice anyhow, so, why do it?  People have either missed out on wonderful opportunities of getting jobs, or being admitted into elite institutions due to their “Online reputation”.

For the ones at risk, it’s not too late; we can attempt to sort this out here and now. We’ll start with the frustrated and true ways to clean your reputation and then move on to my sneakier methods. Now, don’t get me wrong! You cannot hide everything! So, let’s get cracking.
Hide and delete
First, the basics: Delete questionable posts on all social networks — Twitter, old-school MySpace entries, and, of course, Facebook. And, about Facebook: Get your privacy settings locked down. To access the settings, click the drop-down arrow in the top right corner of your main Facebook page and then click Privacy Settings. At a minimum, make sure your posts are only shared with friends. Then, scroll down through all the settings, and make sure what you watch, read, and listen to aren’t publically searchable. If you’ve been tagged in anyone else’s dicey pictures, un-tag! un-tag! un-tag! Click the picture, choose options, and click “I want to un-tag myself.” There’s an old saying which says: “Show me your company and I’ll tell you who you are.”
Bury the bad stuff
That’s all the stuff you can control. But what if there’s info spread across the Internet that you can’t remove; like maybe you were busted for spray painting your classroom furniture back in secondary school, and it made the school magazine? Or worse, what if someone went on an outburst about you and it shows up when your name is entered into a search? There are certain advocates who say you should write letters asking individuals or organizations to remove those postings, but, in real life, it’s pretty useless. Instead, take solace from the fact that 97% of searchers never look beyond the first three pages of search results. If you can push the negative results down by posting positive or neutral information that’s more current, or has more appeal to search engines, you’ll win the battle 97% of the time. But it takes time and patience, so… Good luck!
Claim your name
To create material that search engines will find, the first step is putting your name out there on high-traffic sites.
Google: Google ranks its own sites higher than others, so create a Google Plus account; use the Google Dashboard to manage your profile, and create a YouTube channel, all using your real name.
LinkedIn: Create a LinkedIn profile; this is one of the most powerful tools you have in establishing your work reputation. LinkedIn is the de facto resume and job networking site for professionals these days.
Yourrealname.com: This is the big one; buy the domain name for your real name. Then start a blog, using one of the simple blog tools like Word Press or Blogger. You can either host your blog at that URL, or build an independent site.
Flood  social sites. Go over to namechk.com, type in your real name (or your new professional name) and sign up for every social site you can; all those sites will boost the appearance of your name in search sites.
Use images to your advantage. Start a Flickr photo-sharing site and write your name on all the (appropriate) pictures you post. Do the same with Instagram, Tumblr and photobucket.
Don’t forget about the real world. Everything you do these days is archived Online — volunteering for charities, PTA boards, 3K runs, seminars you attend. If your school has class notes, submit info. Write a well thought out letter to the editor; do an Online genealogy for your family; or attend County meetings where the names of attendants are published Online. All these well-established sites get lots of search engine love.
Link –up. Once any of the above listings of your name appear Online, link to them from your blog or website. It’s the interlinking that gives you real search engine power.
You can, of course, hire a reputation service to do all of this for you, but if you have the time and want to save a few thousand dollars, these techniques can really help. Never ask a friend or someone you hardly know to post a picture of yourself unless you have a very close and honest relationship with him/her. And even if you do, ensure you check whatever is posted. Good friends are not always good; and the only person you can really trust is yourself.