NERDS ON CALL: Take Control of Your Online Reputation with a Few Simple Steps

According to a research report commissioned by Microsoft in 2009, about 70% of U.S. recruiters and HR professionals interviewed indicated that they have rejected a candidate based on information they found online.
By: Nerds On Call Computer Repair Sacramento
 
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - July 22, 2013 - PRLog -- When you enter your name into Google (or the search engine of your choice), are the results flattering, or at least accurate?  Even if you aren’t keeping tabs on your online reputation, others may be.  From potential employers to prospective love interests, information linked to you on the Internet can affect your livelihood, your love life; even create a first impression for new people you meet.  Take control of your online reputation with a few simple steps to ensure that when someone searches you out online the results are favorable.

According to a research report commissioned by Microsoft in 2009, about 70% of U.S. recruiters and HR professionals interviewed indicated that they have rejected a candidate based on information they found online.  Recruiters indicated that concerns about the candidate’s lifestyle; inappropriate comments or text written by the candidate (even their friends, colleagues and work acquaintances) and unsuitable photos, videos or information are most detrimental.  

Take proactive steps to ensure that you’re presented in the best light:

Do your research: Google yourself.  Before you start, sign out of your Google account so that you see the results that others see.  Use all variants of your name, particularly the one you use on your resume and applications.  

In most cases you’ll find mediocre results, primarily other people that share your name and old or irrelevant information.  About 15% of people have “bad” search results that offer up severely unflattering information or images.  

Take control of your results. According to BrandYourself.com, only 7% of people navigate past the first page of results.  The key is to create enough positive buzz about yourself so as to have relevant and flattering content appear higher in search results.

Start by joining websites that are noticed by Google's search scanning algorithm like LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com), Google+ and Twitter.  Complete as much of the personal profile as possible, particularly the sections that relate to job skills and experience.  Even publicly accessible Facebook info will appear in your results page.  

Bloggers should post content to Wordpress (http://wordpress.org/) as it typically ranks above other blogging sites like Tumblr and Blogger.  Use Vimeo and Flickr, respectively, to share appropriate videos and pictures on the web.

Even better, purchase your domain name (if it’s available) and build a personal website that utilizes SEO (Search Engine Optimization).  See the BrandYourself blog for tips (http://blog.brandyourself.com/brand-yourselfcom/introduction-to-personal-search-engine-optimization-seo/).

Damage control. If you find embarrassing or unflattering content linked to your name, don’t despair.  In many cases, once you know they exist you can systematically track down things you want to get rid of and attempt to delete them.  If the content is posted by a friend on Facebook, ask them to remove it and un-tag yourself from inappropriate images or posts.  Update your Facebook privacy settings to customize what you share and what others are allowed to share on your wall.  If you discover posts that seem to be particularly malicious, contact the administrator of a website to request that it be removed.  

After removing what you can, your goal is to push down unfavorable content.  Create more profiles, particularly on sites that end in .edu or .gov as Google considers those sites more credible and may push those results higher than potentially damaging links.  

Stay proactive. Sign up for Google alerts (www.google.com/alerts) so that you’re notified if a new reference to you appears online.  BrandYourself (www.brandyourself.com) is a great resource for free information about improving your online search results.  In addition to a wealth of tips and tutorials, create a complimentary account to push three links about yourself up the Google results ranking.  Premium members pay a monthly fee to promote an unlimited number of links.

Andrea Eldridge is CEO and co-founder of Nerds On Call, an on-site computer and laptop repair service (http://www.callnerds.com/) for consumers and businesses. Andrea is the writer of two weekly columns, Nerd Chick Adventures in The Record Searchlight, and Computer Nerds On Call, a nationally syndicated column for the Scripps-Howard News Service.  She regularly appears on ABC, NBC, FOX, and CBS on shows such as Good Day Sacramento, Good Morning Arizona and MORE Good Day Portland, offering viewers easy tips on technology, Internet lifestyle, and gadgets.  Andrea recently has begun working with Demand Media to produce content for eHow.com and has written a book for them Smartphone101: Integrating your iPhone into a Windows World. Andrea is available for Q & A’s, expert tech quotes and will appear on your show, call today! See Andrea in action at www.callnerds.com/andrea.

About Nerds On Call

Established in a spare room in Redding, Calif., in March 2004, Nerds On Call offers on-site computer and laptop repair services to consumers and businesses. Nerds On Call provides trouble-shooting for PCs and Macs, home and office networks, printers, iPods® and MP3 players, handheld devices and cell phones, home theaters and game systems, and virtually every other form of digital entertainment.  In 2009, 2010, & 2011 the company was named to Inc. magazine’s list of 5000 fastest growing private companies. With 15 locations across California, Oregon, Washington, & Arizona Nerds On Call serves more than 40,000 satisfied customers per year. For more information, visit www.callnerds.com  or call 1-800-919-NERD.
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Source:Nerds On Call Computer Repair Sacramento
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Tags:Technology, Online Reputation, Linkedin, Information Found Online, Brand Yourself
Industry:Technology, Consumer
Location:Sacramento - California - United States
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