SEO and YOU, the Job Seeker - Part Two

The objective of all On-line Identity Management, regardless of whether the site is for business or personal use, is three-fold:

1. Maximize the appearances of positive on-line references about a specific person, or company by targeting not only to users that actively search for that person on any Search Engine, but also to those that eventually can reach a person's reference while browsing the web.


2. Build an on-line identity in cases where the person or company web presence is minimal or nonexistent.


3. Solve on-line reputation problems. In this case, the process can also be named on-line reputation management, which like those well-versed in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is fast becoming a specialty unto its own.

The rationale for the increase interest in the subject of On-line Identity Management is closely related to the increasing number of constituencies that use the internet as a tool to find information about people. A recent survey by CareerBuilders.com found that 1 in 4 hiring managers used search engines to screen candidates and that one in 10 checked candidates' profiles on social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook. Further, according to a December 2007 survey by the Ponemon Institute, a privacy research organization, roughly half of U.S. hiring officials use the Internet in vetting job applications.

As long as the Internet continues to be a rich source of information, that provides quick and relatively easy access to seemingly unlimited data combined with the increasing popularity of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, and search engines like Google and Yahoo, employers are finding it easier and less expensive to conduct background checks on potential employees and managing your on-line presence has never been more critical to your job search success.


Copyright © 2010, Career Matters. All Rights Reserved.Permission to Reprint: This article may be reprinted, provided it appears in its entirety with the following attribution: Copyright © 2010, Career Matters. Reprinted by permission of Mary Salvino.“Career Matters” is a blog hosted by Mary Salvino, Senior Consultant for SMART Career Planning.com. This blog is dedicated to those who are seeking advice on managing their career and future job opportunities. We welcome readers to share their experiences, post their comments or ask questions about career related matters. For any questions or comments that are better addressed privately, please feel free to e-mail Mary directly at Mary.Salvino@shaw.ca