5 Online Reputation Tips to Keep Your Digital Footprint Under Control

Social media enables us to share our thoughts about the world and connect with others — but it can also turn off employers and cost you a job. According to a Resume Builder study:

• 73% of hiring managers use social media to research job candidates during the hiring process.
• 85% of employers have rejected candidates based on what they found online.

An Instagram image of you having a little too much fun at a party, a lengthy Facebook rant, retweets of oft-offensive public figures — these aren't exactly the types of content that paint you in the best light to recruiters, human resources, and managers. In some cases, it's the photos and posts your social contacts tag you in that can hinder your job search or current employment.

Social media channels comprise just one part of your digital footprint. For many kids and teens today, their digital footprints were created before they were even born, when their parents uploaded photos of ultrasounds online. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, “up to 95%” of teenage children (13–17) use at least one social media platform, while over a third use it “almost constantly.”

In addition to social media, other digital footprint components include:

• Blog posts
• Emails
• Data submitted to websites
• Comments in forums and on articles

What you post online could affect your future, including your ability to secure a job, move up in the company, or run for public office.

Here are five tips for managing your online reputation:

1. Perform Regular Social Media Audits

At least once a year, search the social sites where you have accounts. Check your profiles, both to analyze what you've posted and to see what others have shared.

• Review your posts first. Is there anything you’ve posted that, in retrospect, may not have been the best decision? If you are questioning a post or photograph, that probably means you should remove it or make it private.
• Next, take a look at the posts you're tagged in. Who has tagged an image of you, and what is happening in the image? Untag yourself on images that can be misinterpreted or found to be offensive, whether at first glance or out of context. Make sure to read what has been said in the accompanying post as well.
• Don't ignore the comments; these are just as important. Go through the comments others have made on your posts and remove inappropriate ones. While you may not have made the particular comment, by not removing it, others may assume you are like-minded and approve of what was said. Make sure to review any comments you have made too. Polarizing posts and comments can be risky without the opportunity to discuss and put them in context.

2. Search Yourself Online

Find out what the web knows or says about you. Is the information accurate, and is this something you want everyone to see? Conducting an online reputation audit is easy using search engines, such as Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Simply type in your name to see what comes up. Many people are surprised by the results when they’ve searched for their name online.

As you go through your online information:

• Try to correct erroneous information: If you find information about you that is incorrect, try to locate the source of the content and request a correction or retraction.
• Update any outdated images and information: This is especially important for professional profiles such as your LinkedIn page. Make sure your information, including your profile image, is up to date. For instance, a profile image of you right out of college can be a bit misleading if you have been in the workforce for the last 5 or 10 years. Also, invest in a professional headshot to put your best face forward online.
• Do a background check on yourself: There are many inexpensive online profile services that will provide you with a full background check. There may be another person using your identity to commit crimes.

3. Take Control of Your Profiles and Posts

Change the following settings on your social media profiles:

• Limit friends and followers: On social networks such as Facebook, your friends can share your public posts and add their own comments to them. Consider who you keep in your online circles since other people's comments on shares may be seen as a reflection of your own views.
• Limit who can view posts: If you share personal information on your social media profiles, ask yourself whether you really want those details exposed to the public. The best way to protect personal information from being shared with employers and recruiters is to make your social accounts private. You can also set the default post setting to private and only publicly share posts that enhance your professional image.
• Control your tags: Consider changing your settings to require approval before being tagged in posts and images. This allows you to decline posts you don’t want connected to your profile. If you’ve been tagged on sites such as Instagram and Twitter, check every post and remove yourself where appropriate by asking the user to untag you or by blocking the user.

4. Strengthen Your Professional Presence

Building a positive digital footprint isn’t just about removing negative content — it also involves showcasing your expertise and professionalism. Actively shaping your online reputation could help you stand out to employers, recruiters, and professional connections.

To enhance your professional presence online:

• Update and optimize your LinkedIn profile with a professional photo, a compelling summary, and recent work experience.
• Engage in industry discussions by sharing articles, commenting on posts, and contributing thoughtful insights related to your field.
• Publish content that highlights your expertise, such as blog posts, articles, or even short updates on professional achievements.

Employers often search for candidates online, and having a strong professional presence can help position you as knowledgeable and credible in your industry.

5. Be Cautious With What You Share

Even seemingly harmless posts can be misinterpreted or taken out of context. Before posting anything online, ask yourself: Would I be comfortable with an employer, professor, or client seeing this?

To maintain a positive online reputation:

• Think before you post: Avoid sharing controversial opinions, sensitive information, or anything that could be considered unprofessional.
• Be mindful of humor: Jokes or memes that seem funny in the moment may not age well or could be offensive to others.
• Monitor privacy settings regularly: Platforms frequently update privacy policies, so review and adjust settings to maintain control over what others can see.

Despite all these settings and filters, once a post or image is out on the web and has your name or image attached to it, it can be saved in a screenshot and permanently recorded. If you participate in online activities, you risk people misinterpreting any content featuring you.

Your Online Reputation Matters

Much like dressing appropriately for a job interview is important, maintaining a respectable online presence is also important in today's digital age. Don't take your online presence for granted.

Perform digital audits of yourself routinely, and again when you are applying for a job, looking to get promoted, or applying to school. Your digital footprint can be your best advocate or potential nemesis; it all depends on you. Make sure it clearly defines how you want to be viewed.

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