Resume Writing – Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino Writer: Your digital dirt could be hurting your job search

Monday, May 25, 2009

Have You Ever “Googled” Yourself?

If not, it’s probably a good idea to try it and see what you find.

A wealth of information about most of us is at any prospective employer’s fingertips and could help or hurt your chances of getting the job you want. Even if you don’t have a public Facebook profile, an employer could find out about political donations you’ve made, read about you on a blog, find a news article about you or find information about a lawsuit to which you were a party.

If not, it’s probably a good idea to try it and see what you find.

Some employers even research candidates online before deciding whether to interview them, so your Web presence is important.

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to get control over your “digital dirt.”

First, research yourself thoroughly to uncover everything that an employer might be able to find and evaluate whether any of the information about you might turn off a prospective employer.
Fix any negative information that is under your control, like removing inappropriate comments from friends on your Facebook profile and setting your social networking profiles to private.
If there is unwanted information about you on a blog or website, evaluate carefully whether it might be appropriate to politely approach the webmaster about having the material removed.
Start working on generating positive information about yourself online. The intent is that when someone searches for you, the positive information will come up (instead of negative information or nothing at all). Some examples of this would be a press release about something you accomplished, a thoughtfully prepared public LinkedIn profile or your name on the website of a professional association to which you belong.

In some cases, if your online reputation is severely tarnished (like if the top 20 results for your name on Google are all about your getting arrested), it might be necessary to hire SEO professionals who specialize in “online reputation management.”

Testimonials

"I managed to land a great job in less than six weeks despite the ongoing recession, and I know the work Kelly did on my resume contributed to my success. I had great qualifications, and I was aggressive in my job search, but even the best candidates can be easily overlooked if their resume doesn't properly communicate their qualifications."
- M. Jackson, Chino, CA

"The resume looks really good. And thanks for the great support and partnership. You made this easy."
- R.S., Highland, CA

"It's been awhile since I've had to 'resell' myself and although you feel you want to share every thing with people - it's hard to know when and where to stop and how much to relay. [By] helping me cut down some of the unnecessary items … it was well worth it and more … The extra little comments and responses to my emails made me feel personal."
- L.G., Phoenix, Arizona

"I know that I can not organize the format and compose as well as a professional writer; I know that I ramble. Your service helped a great deal. I know that I can land the job of my choice because your composition looks sharp and concise. I was delighted to know that you took great care in my needs; it appears that you DROP everything that is a distraction and pay attention to the client. In short, you listen."
- G.M.C., Rocklin, California

"I am very satisfied with the work you have done and there is no comparison to be done with the initial CV I sent you! I thank you very much for making such a great CV for me."
- J. Dhelin, international customer

"I am so grateful that my wife thought of you to do my resume. You made me look like a 'rock star.' The resume looks great and so does the bio."
- M. Saucedo, Redlands, CA

"Your help with my cover letter and resume was outstanding. I do appreciate you encouraging me not to underestimate my possibilities because of my education."
- Customer in Forsyth, Georgia

"This looks great! Thanks for taking the time to work on the editing for me. It really did turn out nice...I appreciate it."
- Customer in Redlands, California

"Kelly, thank you for such a great service you provided. I am pleased with your work and input you provided. Often co workers, family and friends, ask me if I know of a resume service that does a good job. Now I can say yes and confidently refer them to your website and you."
- Customer in Redlands, California

"You helped me pinpoint what facts would be helpful to include and figured out the most appealing way to present that information. I was amazed by the quick turnaround, and the quality of the writing was top-notch. I was able to find a job quickly, and I wouldn't have been able to do that without a strong resume.
Thanks for your help!" - Bill W., Highland, Indiana

"Just what I had in mind! Thank you so much for your extra effort... you're the best!"
- Diane, Big Bear Lake, California

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FAQ

How much do you charge?
Your costs will vary depending on what you need. A resume and cover letter for a mid-level manager costs $237. These costs are generally tax deductible. See more pricing here.

Where are you located?
Our office is in Ontario, California, and we serve clients throughout Southern California's Inland Empire and nationwide. Some client meetings take place there, some take place elsewhere in the Inland Empire and some take place over the phone.