TIP: Google Yourself.

Have you ever been bored and just decided to search your name on Google to see what comes up?  Have you found some funny things, things you forgot about, and other random stuff?  I'm always amused at what I find.  Try it out.

Here's what comes up when you Google my name, "Tory Nair."

1. My LinkedIn profile (yet another good reason to sign up for LinkedIn - see previous post for 6 more reasons.)
2. WhitePages info (which is always inaccurate or delayed)
3. My Twitter account (which has sadly never been used - I need to get on that!)
4. Info about someone else named Tori Nair (notice the spelling of the first name)
5. My Google+ picture

And so on...

In searches for myself, however, I have also found:

• A petition I signed to bring back the Oreo Madness dessert at TGIFriday's (yes, I am passionate about my Oreo desserts)
• Information/times for 5ks/races I've run
• My wedding pictures
• My old online journals/blogs
• My wedding blog/website
• Friends' wedding blogs/websites

And so on...

This is what employers will find too if they search you, so if you haven't already done so, Google yourself.  Don't just Google your usual name, search for any names you've gone by, as well as your e-mail address (especially the one you list on your resume).  See what comes up.  If you don't want it up there for everyone to see, see what you can do to take it down.  I will point out that if you sign any online petitions, be careful what you sign before you sign it.  While my online petition was pretty funny and inocuous, others that are more politically oriented may offend some employers.  When I went to remove my signature on the petition I signed many years ago, I had to pay to get it removed.  Yes, pay.  That's why I say to be careful.  There's only so much you can control of what's out there about yourself.

This also is a good time to remind everyone to be aware and stay on top of privacy settings for Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, as well as to just be aware of what you put out there on the internet.  If you comment on a public post on Facebook, it will come up in a Google search.  If you comment on a blog or article, that will also come up.  Be aware of this and think about how you want to portray your online self.  You can also use this to your advantage by posting things that you would want to come up in a search - an online portfolio, if you will. 

Now go ahead and Google yourself and see what comes up...