In the past, people never had to worry about potential employers finding the Facebook posting that indicated the nitty-gritty about that wild frat party last night. There was the cover letter that gave insight on who you where and how you presented yourself. There has been many debates about cover letters being out of date, the proper way to write a resume and the perfect things to include. But now it goes farther than a cover letter and resume.
There is a new resume branding technique the more you get into social media. It’s important to keep a clean slate through out the Internet but be available in the right places with the right information.
I had a professor at Northwood that said over and over again, “Google search up-the-ass about the person that is interviewing you.” He said we need to know everything about them; where they went to college, what their hobbies are, what’s been in the news about them or their company, and anything else you can find, including dirt.
I always heard about keeping Facebook pages clean and don’t show last weeks frat party pictures on Facebook because you wont get the interview if potential employers see that. But I realized recently- there is no reason that the people interviewing aren’t going to go the next step and Google me, like I did to them. In fact- it is extremely likely that they will Google my name before they even call for the interview.
So now is a time to be proactive about making yourself available. Those frat party photos on Facebook could still do some damage if they find them, but if they find what you want them to find first, interviewers may or may not make it that far. I’m not condoning carelessness posting on Facebook or MySpace because if they’re interested in you, they’ll dig deep anyways. I’m just saying, help them find more good things about you that you’ve intentionally posted for them to find.
I recently read about Google Profiles. I have a GMail account so I have been familiar with Google for quite some time. It never struck me as valuable, though, until I realized that Google is going to post it’s own link ahead of any other link on a search, so when you Google yourself and you have a Google profile, it should show up first on the Google search with content, links, and information you’ve set up to direct them to the right places.
It doesn’t stop there though. You need to own your name in the search results and make what you do the top of the listing so employers find what they’re looking for very quickly.
Blog. Blog. Blog.
Make yourself known on the web by using www.wordpress.com just as I have. 
Your blog can be your resume but your not restricted to 1 or 2 pages and there are no rules. It shows what’s important to you and your feelings on a broad variety of issues.
Link Your Blog to Your Google Profile
Your Google Profile doesn’t have to be extensive. The more you have, the better your keyword search will be, but if you have a blog, why repeat all of the information again. Make your blog the first link on the available links section. Also, list places you’ve worked, other blogs you’ve written for, your Twitter page, and don’t forget your LinkedIn profile.
The more you do on the Internet, make it available by connecting the links. Google SEO sees links as “recommendations” so post links on your blog to your Google Profile and vise versa. Link your blog to LinkedIn and include your name in various places. You should be at the top of the listing for your name and you’ll be more available to potential employers in all of the right ways.
