Your Online Presence

Online communities such as Facebook and MySpace and personal blogs have become a very popular way to find old friends, keep in touch with friends and family who are far away and expand your network. Many are aware of the advantages of the social networking sites, however many are not aware of the impact these sites can have on your job search. Employers are now using these sites throughout their recruiting process. Many people have lost jobs or opportunities due to the content they have on their personal page or blog.

Because of the current trend of evaluating social networking sites as a method of recruitment, we encourage you to evaluate your online presence.

This checklist will help you to ensure your online activity won't harm y our job search or your safety.

Go through the list and check each item off if you have completed it. If the entire list isn't checked off, make it a goal to check 100% of the items below. You will be glad you did.

I have applied settings in my accounts which provide the highest level of privacy and limit access to my page.

I have removed offensive or inappropriate comments from my friends.

I have removed personal information about myself (name, phone number, social security number, bank account information, class/work schedules).

I have made sure that the content I put on the internet can not be interpreted as against the law, violent, careless or harmful to me and others.

I know who my friends are and I am careful when accepting them to my social networking accounts.

I have checked to make sure my friends have not posted inappropriate pictures of me on their sites.

My blog entries are respectful and aren't harmful to my reputation nor do they insult or criticize my employer and/or colleagues.

I have used sound judgment when posting pictures of myself and others online.

I do not have any comments about my faculty members, supervisors, coaches, etc. which are disrespectful or derogatory.

To see what other can find about me I have done a search of my own name via Google, Yahoo! or other search engines.