We've all done it. Whether it was spurred onward by curiosity or boredom we've all tried it once or twice. We sneak a furtive glance over our shoulders and snicker a little at the vaguely naughty sounding name. I'm referring, of course, to Googling yourself. The grand tradition of entering your own name into the Google search engine to see just what it will turn up. However, Googling yourself isn't just a device to alleviate boredom momentarily. Google can be your best friend, or your worst enemy. Especially for students looking to enter the job market. If there is once piece of advice that I have heard over and over again in my journalism classes, (those J-school teachers are on top of their game, a kid could learn a lot listening to them.) it's this: Google is your resume. Rest assured, gentle readers, that at some point in your life, someone (and that includes potential employers) is going to Google your name. What are they going to find? Facebook photos from spring break last year when you got wasted and decided it would be awesome to make out with a cardboard cutout of Justin Timberlake? Maybe a Twitter feed that is chocked full of posts about how much you hate your current boss? Hardly the sort of impression that you want to leave on the world, I'm sure.
The problem is that so many of us have used the Internet as an informal tool for so long, that we tend to forget that it can be more than just MySpace or the Internet Movie Database. We've used it as a toy so much that we don't always remember that more than just your friends list can access your info.
The key to everything is balance. You need to learn how to show your personality without being unprofessional. Utilize what I like to call the "Grandmother Directive." A few months back, my grandma, bless her heart, signed up for a Facebook page. Ever since I recovered from the shock and added her to my friends, I've tread a little more carefully when updating my status, posting notes, or uploading photos. I have to stop and ask myself, is this something that would embarrass my grandmother? What is she going to think when she sees this? It's surprisingly effective. I can still be myself and have fun, but I try to steer myself away from anything that I wouldn't want Grandma to see. It gives me a nice blend of fun and professionalism.
As you merge from the world of student to professional, make sure that your online presence reflects that. Be friendly and amiable, but not too informal. Use correct grammar and hit that spell check button once and awhile. Definitely make sure not to fall back into the swirling vortex of internet slang. You may love all those OMGs and LOLs right now, but I doubt your future boss will be quite so impressed. Above all else, be professional. Show everyone that in a world of glittery MySpace profiles and Twitter posts about what's on TV tonight, that you have something to say, and you know how to say it.
