Emurse

(Or how to shamelessly promote yourself in a few easy steps.)

Everything posted about you online can be indexed and stored for future reference. These days, almost everyone has a “digital identity”, the collection of information someone finds when he or she searches your name. Maybe you posted on an Internet message board, or perhaps the local paper interviewed you. Regardless, this information is now freely and easily accessible to anyone who seeks it. Employers, more than anybody, are making such investigations common procedure.

You probably won’t be able to have information on you removed from a website, but by being proactive you can make sure the majority of the results are positive. How? By participating and posting on highly searched, public websites in a positive way.

Here are five easy suggestions to help get the most bang with the least amount of effort!

1 - Create an online resume and online profiles. Okay, maybe I’m a bit biased in that I co-founded Emurse.com. But a big reason for creating Emurse is that it allows non-technical people to quickly and easily create an online resume. My fiancé, for instance, works in politics. When other people in her field google information on candidates she’s worked with, her Emurse resume often shows up above the actual candidate. This has proved to be a perfect way for her to extend her personal network. Ziggs, LinkedIn, and many others all allow you to freely post online profiles that will get picked up by all major search engines. Combine these services with Emurse by linking to your resume on your created profile. Combine all of these services with something like ClaimID.

2 - Create accounts on Social Networks. Seriously, they’re heavily indexed and savvy employers search them looking for dirt. Your goal is to make sure they find the exact opposite. Include your full name somewhere on the site, preferably as your username so it will rank higher on search results. Post links to your portfolio or online resume. Use common sense and avoid unflattering pictures. Besides, social networks are a tremendous way to reconnect with old friends.

3 - Post on Message Boards and Blogs. Using your real name, post on message boards and blogs that cover your industry. Keep it light, simple, and non-controversial. It’s quick, its easy, key people in your industry will see your name and it will get indexed for later searches all at the same time. If your posting on a blog, make sure to utilize the “URL” field. If you don’t have a website or blog, point it to your Emurse resume. These are easy inbound links to drive traffic to your positive online offerings. This brings me to the next suggestion…

4 - Participate on Social News Sites. Create an account on Netscape.com and Digg.com. Submit a few links to stories covering your space, vote on a handful of stories relating to your space. Make sure to use your real name when creating these accounts, and when your future employer searches for you, they may find your “user page” on these services. Your page will include all the stories you’ve submitted and the stories you’ve voted on. What a simple, easy way to show that you are a passionate candidate with a great deal of interest in your field!

5 - Start a blog. The term “blogger” might bring about uneasy clichés for some, but remember a “blog” at its most basic level is simply a format for posting information. Purchase your name as the domain and put your name in the title. This will guarantee that folks will find it when searching your name. Google and other search engines will index your domain and place it near the top of the list. Use this as a chance to post accomplishments and other flattering information, mix in other information that your family members and other close friends would enjoy hearing. A blog doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it’s a solid step in creating a positive “digital identity” and it will help keep all the important people in your life in tune with what’s going on in your world all at the same time.

These are just a few simple things that anyone can do, often completely free of charge, to help improve their online identity. The key is to simply be cautious of what you post and when to use your real name over an alias.

Best of luck, and please, add your suggestions to the comments below.

Oh, and if you haven’t already, create an account on our Resume Builder!