Google Stalker: What do search engines say about you?

Entry by Valerie Petrey, Public Relations & Event Planning Intern, Purdue Liberal Arts Career Development

Have you Googled yourself recently? If you’re internship or job searching, I highly recommend you Google yourself to see how others view you in the virtual world. 

Everyone is always talking about setting your Facebook and Twitter accounts to private, and making sure there are no inappropriate pictures of you on the Internet. Okay, we know to do all of that so when employers Google us, they know we are responsible… but when they Google us, don’t we want them to see something that will make an impact on them?

Every job seeker’s goal should be to get on the first page of Google. It’s more difficult with names like “Kayla Smith,” but it’s doable. Rather than having your Facebook pop up, what if a well-written blog came up? Blogging is not for everyone, but it’s a great thing to have, even if it has nothing to do with your professional goals because it has the potential to showcase your writing abilities. 

No matter what profession you go into, writing will be involved. Annual reports, emails, letters, presentations, etc.! If you say you’re a phenomenal writer on your resume, wouldn’t it be awesome if there was proof of this, in the form of a blog in which an employer could find via Google?!

If you’re not into the whole blogging thing because you haven’t found a passionate subject to blog about, why not create a website? How do you create a website without knowing Dreamweaver, HTML or CSS? No worries, it’s simple! My personal favorite is www.weebly.com. You can get some really advanced features with the free version of Weebly, and you have the option of using your own domain. Check with your university’s technology department about a domain. For example at Purdue all students are granted a free domain. If your university doesn’t have this option you can find domains as cheap as $15 a month.

What in the world can you put on your website? At the very least you can create a short bio of your education, experiences and goals, paired with a downloadable resume. You can list references (check with them before posting emails/phone numbers) or upload pictures of you in action volunteering. Additionally you could use it as an online portfolio. If you have design work, put it on there. Do you make videos, write short stories or critique music albums and movies? The only things you must include on there: name, contact information (an email works), resume and a picture of you.

To reiterate, blogging and websites, in addition to social media accounts, only help improve your Google ratings. They’re also a great way to show you can write, you’re motivated, a leader in your community and can give the employer more insight into why they should have you in for an interview! So remember, stalk yourself on Google regularly.