Catch Them Googling Themselves to Get a Job - Part II

In the previous post, we were talking about doing Google searches on your own name in order to be aware what information is available online about you, and therefore would be available to a potential employer. There is still some debate about how much access into an employee's life an employer should have. Some people argue that employees have a right to privacy, and just because they have applied for a job or are a current employee, doesn't meant that they want their bosses investigating them. The reality is that anything you post to the internet is available, instantly, to anyone who cares to look. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy and don't assume that your boss, or anyone else for that matter won't lower themselves to snooping. They can, and do.

Googling yourself can be an ego boost and it is a good way to protect your personal brand. In fact, most executives Google themselves frequently to find out if anyone is talking about them. Especially in highly competitive fields, keeping tabs on what people are saying about you can tip you off to what your competitors are doing. Whether it is a good review of your service or a blog post by a disgruntled employee discussing how awful you are, it helps to know.

Occasionally, however, an applicant has been able to turn the tables and make self Googling work in his favor. Take Alec Brownstein, an advertising copywriter, for instance. When he started his job search, he was identified by several creative directors at various advertising agencies that he would like to work with. Banking on the fact that most executives Google themselves with regularity, he launched Ad Words campaign to display short ads he had written anytime someone searched for a particular executive's name. Since names aren't common Ad Words keywords, he only paid $6 to launch his campaign. The ads, which linked to his website, addressed each individual by name. "Hey," it read, "Googling yourself is a lot of fun. Hiring me is fun, too." The $6 investment was well worth it, because he was quickly hired and is now a senior copywriter at Young & Rubicam. When asked about his self promotion, Brownstein had this to say-

"You can set up an ad words campaign in a matter of minutes,I thought of the idea and thought, 'Let's just try it.' I didn't have anything to lose."

Brownstein also made a YouTube video about his job campaign.




Getting an edge in this competitive job market is key. Use the resources available to make your own personal brand and manage the information that is available on your product. You can be sure that most companies are aware of, and frequently look for, sites that mention their products or complain about their service. Your product is yourself, and keeping up with the information is important.

Be sure to read Part III, to learn how to un-Google yourself and how to keep your private information separate from your brand and what to do if you find things you can't delete in your search results.

By Melissa Kennedy- Melissa is a freelance writer and regular contributor to several websites and other publications, a volunteer, a full time mom and an active job seeker.