A new trend has emerged in the US and it is currently spreading itself to the rest of the world: “Self-Googling”, or, “Ego-surfing”. By typing in your own, or somebody else’s name, into the Google search engine, you instantly get an online image of the person.
With the constantly increasing sophistication and accuracy of search engines, “Googling” a person is fast becoming a new and easy source for reference checks. Although Googling is not as widespread in Europe as it is in the US at this moment of time, the tendency is clear – Googling will become an integrated part of the recruitment process.
Be aware of your online image
A search engine does not discriminate between positive and negative articles. If there has been a public controversy with your person involved, the chances are that the search engine will find links to articles around that subject as well. Therefore, it is important that you consider what you say and do on the net – as one anonymous user said in a web log: “Never post anything that you wouldn’t be willing to read on the front page of the New York Times.”
On the other hand, a Google search assists ego-surfers and reference checkers in finding a person’s name on articles and publications of previous employers. It flashes the public network by finding the person’s name on web sites of boards, organisations and other public domains. If applicable, a google search result presents academic credentials by providing links to universities and other educational institutions and even links to specific academic work, that the person has participated in writing.
Hence, Googling underlines the details of a CV but also provides the reader with a rare insight to that person’s network, professional as well as private. Therefore, in tune with the rise of the trend of Googling, it is becoming increasingly important to check that “the virtual you” matches “the real you”.
Paint your own part of the virtual image
If you have the time, energy and computing skills, there are several ways to influence the virtual image of your person. A personal web page and participating in weblogs are among the more well-known methods. Although both were previously considered somewhat geekish few years back, the breathtaking development of the Internet has meant that it is now becoming increasingly common-place, also among managers and CEOs.
By creating your own personal web page, you naturally also have the chance of influencing how people surfing the net perceive you. It is also a space where you can choose to make a portfolio with further in-depth details to supplement your CV. Furthermore, a well-designed homepage is also a way to show off computing skills.
The latest development is that weblogs have become mainstream. Whereas they before were renowned as a place to search for alternative opinions, they are now used by many CEOs and other business executives as a basis for discussion and dialogue. This is also called “Corporate Blogging”. One example of this phenomenon is the blog of Jonathan Schwartz, the CEO of SUN Microsystems.
How to Google Yourself – the basics of Ego-Surfing.
It is surprisingly easy to start ego-surfing. Simply enter your name in quotation marks in the Google search box (or any other search engine). If your name is a common one, try insert some additional information such as town, title, or the last company, you were employed in.
Further links of interest:
Google Yourself at About.com: http://entrepreneurs.about.com/cs/marketing/a/googleyourself.htm
Johan Schwartz’ Blog: http://blogs.sun.com/jonathan
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