Google me, Google you...Ah, ha!

One of the first things I do when getting a potential client is to Google his/her name to see what comes out of it. It is not as boring as you could expect. It’s been an amazing, surprising, shocking and even fun – at times – process.


Recruiters are using social media to look for passive candidates and to even screen a bit beyond what’s on paper to what actually those potential candidates may be like.

Do you have any control on your online professional brand?

A lot of people tend to think that celebrities are the ones in TV, but not anymore. Internet and social media have knocked our walls down to expose a lot of our private matters to the public scrutiny – if not careful -.

The first time I actually ‘googled’ myself I remember finding only my Bachelor’s degree thesis. I just could not believe there was nothing a bit more exciting than that. A few years later and I am in control.

So, what’s out there for you… or not? How does that personal piece may expose your profile? Hopefully, you are doing Ok so far, so good but you can take some precautions and there are some hints I’d like to share with you:

1. Google yourself. Play a bit with your name on the web at www.googlism.com and/or www.pipl.com.

2. Analyze your results and try to measure relevance on them. Is there too much information out there, well, then that means is time to start restricting the privacy setting on your social pages (e.g. Facebook) as well as the access your contacts have of your pictures and personal information. Do you have nothing? Think if that is what you want and then,

3. Market yourself at your best. Create a professional profile out there to sell your brand effectively. How about LinkedIn or Nayms? What have you got in Flickr? Believe me when I tell you that there are things out there that some wouldn’t want the world to see so freely. But, having said this, there are things you do want the world to know.

4. Control your Brand. Google results are no accident as many may think. You can actually create and set your distinctiveness straight in the web. You can even rate your presence and ‘play’ with it.

5. Do not obsess with it. I’ve heard there are people out there even paying for their names not to ever show up in any website listing results.

6. Google your potential hiring manager and interviewer. What comes around goes around. Find their professional profiles and affiliations. Wouldn’t it be great to find you share a strong affinity that is not listed in your resume before that interview?
Do not underestimate the power of Social Media and its potential to get you closer to your Vision.

“How can you squander even one more day not taking advantage of the greatest shifts of our generation? How dare you settle for less when the world has made it so easy for you to be remarkable?”

– Seth Godin, Seth’s Blog (http://sethgodin.typepad.com)