Hopefully This Is What Employers See When They Google You

If you’re on the job hunt right now, it’s likely your name has been Googled at least a few times by employers eager to know more about you.

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In fact, nearly half of employers use Google and other search engines to research candidates, according to a 2013 CareerBuilder study.

Hopefully, what they find doesn’t include a photo reel from that one wild night you had after your high school reunion, the saucy selfies you and the girls snapped at the beach, or any other defaming information that could give a questionable impression of your character. However, when googling you, employers want to find more than just a blank slate. They want to get to know the real you.

Based on research, from the University of Texas at Austin published in March 2014, employers seek the following characteristics when researching you online:

Confidence and professionalism

Employers are attracted to candidates who appear confident and professional online, without coming across as arrogant. Employers search and identify such an electable personality by looking for candidates who demonstrate stability, curiosity and creativity, while still being teachable.

You can demonstrate these qualities though an online portfolio, blog, or website to showcase your personal brand. Keep all content in these channels professional and career-related. Include work samples, links to blogs where you’ve contributed, and any tutorials you’ve created. Save your pictures from your day at the beach for Facebook and Instagram — unless, of course, you’re a photographer.

Association with appropriate networks

Employers will look at the groups you belong to, the people in your network whom you associate with, and the activities you engage in within those networks.

Helped out with a holiday food drive last year? Awesome. Volunteer experience with a local chapter of Give Kids The World? Even better. A member of Online Gamblers Anonymous? You’re toast.

The point isn’t that you need volunteer experience, but what you do in your spare time outside of work and your affiliations should show you are a healthy, balanced individual who can contribute to a team working toward a common goal.

A consistent public image

Employers want candidates with an image consistent across all platforms. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’re looking for the same profile picture used on every site, but they’re looking for the same aesthetic.

For example, if your LinkedIn profile picture is a clean-cut, professional headshot, and your Facebook profile picture is you with makeup that resembles The Joker in “The Dark Knight,” in a tiny tube dress, that’s a big red flag to employers. Unless it’s Halloween, you might have to explain your eccentric costume choice, if the employer even bothers to contact you after that point.

Clear lines between your personal and professional image

If you cringe at the thought of letting your career dictate your online personal life, you can always separate your personal image from your professional image. Use your full legal name for professional networking sites, job boards, and your online portfolio, but on everything else use your first and middle name, or a nickname your friends know you by.

Then set all of your social profiles to “private.” This decreases chances of employers finding your Facebook without more rigorous detective work, and if they ask you about it, you can gladly send them the link and accept their request to follow you. Just make sure you look things over first.

Alignment with their values

Most importantly, employers want to see that your personal values align with theirs so you will fit in well with the company culture.

For example, employers at a non-profit Christian organization will seek out employees whose religious beliefs match theirs. They may look for a religious declaration in your “about me” section, any statements of faith in your updates, or any religious-affiliated clubs you were a part of in college.

Google yourself and take a look at the vibe your image gives off. Is it consistent and professional? Do you exude confidence, or arrogance? Think like an employer. Would you hire yourself? If not, make the necessary changes to improve your professional image so all your hard work isn’t shot down by a simple Google search.

Seriously, go ahead and Google yourself. What did you find? What changes are you going to make to update your professional image? Share with us in the comments below!