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Interview Chatter

Social Networking: How Findable Are You?

by Darlene McDaniel on June 9th, 2008

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If you were to do a Google Search on your name, what would you discover? Would your name come up as the first option? Here is an assignment for you - go to Google and type in your name. What did you discover? Scroll down and leave a comment. Here is an opportunity to win 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions, by Ron Fry. In order to win the book, you have to leave your name, and what you discover from your Google Search. Make sure you leave a comment about the exercise.

Back to the post - How findable are you? And what does it have to do with Social Networking and your job search, which is our theme this month. Based on your discovery about the strength of your name on the internet, should help you answer the question of “how findable” you are. If Social Networking will help you find your next job, then it should become a high priority to position yourself to be found by hiring managers looking for someone with your skills and abilities.

How do you increase the likelihood that you will be found? I found a great article, How to Web 2.0ize Your Job Search? This is a great article for you to read.

Here are the key points that will you be found through your networking efforts.

  • Continually Update Your Resume - The resume is no longer something that is updated once every few years when you’re looking for a job. Make sure that it is always current.
  • Web 2.0ize Your Resume - That means you need to figure out the most important keywords that employers are using to find people with your skills. Then spread those keywords with the appropriate frequency throughout your resume text.
  • Use Your Community Profiles To Your Advantage - Have you got a Facebook account? A LinkedIn profile? How about a MySpace page? Even a free Wetpaint wiki? Whatever it is, place your Web 2.0ized resume there. Not a link to it, the actual text. This will create more instances of your name / skills / keywords for employers to find.
  • Get The Word Out - If you’re using Twitter, get out the word to your community that you’re looking for a job. Got Jaxtr? Throw a (professional-looking) picture on that puppy and record your VoiceBlast with a quick note about why you’re great (try to stick to job skills, though…) and put it up with your resume.
  • Get Ready For Response - Here’s a recruiter’s dirty little secret: often the difference between getting / getting submitted for a job is the quickness of your response. This explains why people without your mad skills get the job and you’re left wondering what happened. (More>>>>)

These suggestions will help you be found within Social Networking sites. Feel free to leave a comment with your success stories. We are interested in hearing how Social Networking is helping you in your job search. Also, feel free to leave questions you may have on any of the Social Networking sites. If we don’t know the answer, we will get one for you

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67 opinions for Social Networking: How Findable Are You?

  • » Social Networking: How Findable Are You? Available Domains:
    Jun 9, 2008 at 11:34 pm

    […] Credit:Social Networking: How Findable Are You? […]

  • Suzy Meneguzzo
    Jun 10, 2008 at 9:00 pm

    Interesting exercise. I assumed, because of my somewhat unique last name that I would come up high, but when I entered my last name only I came up 18th (My LinkedIn profile). With the full name, I did come up first. I was pleased to see that the top results were professionally focused and positive.

  • Darlene McDaniel
    Jun 10, 2008 at 9:11 pm

    Hi Suzy! Thank you for being the first person to take my exercise on and leave a comment. I am glad to hear that you came up in the number 1 slot with your full name. That is a great thing. I would love to hear how LinkedIn has helped you. Are you a passive or active job seeker right now?

  • Elizabeth Ray
    Jun 23, 2008 at 10:30 pm

    I found 2,400,000 hits with my first and last name together. The 45th one was a picture that I entered in a contest.

  • Louise Brouillette
    Jun 23, 2008 at 10:49 pm

    There is a congressional aide with my name, and she gets a lot of hits.

  • gale strong
    Jun 23, 2008 at 11:01 pm

    When I search for myself on Google, I come up with lots of weather things (ie. “strong gale, near gale, etc., etc.).

  • christopher h
    Jun 23, 2008 at 11:38 pm

    searching for me, i find a surgeon in pennsylvainia with the same name.

    well, mom always did want a doctor in the family.

  • Social Networking Etiquette
    Jun 23, 2008 at 11:59 pm

    […] you are just beginning to develop an online presence, you may want to begin with a Google Search. Find out what your online presence looks like and go from there to develop a stronger online […]

  • Dianne Welch
    Jun 24, 2008 at 1:19 am

    Guess no one knows me. I was the only female union president at a Philips Lighting plant in their 60 year history.

  • Tonya Keener
    Jun 24, 2008 at 2:54 am

    I have pages and pages on my name, I guess for all the years of sweepstakes entries. It was kind of scary to see all that come up but my fave is
    Poetry to ease the pain? (and a poetry book give-away)Jun 11, 2008 … Tonya Keener Jun 13, 2008 at 5:25 am. :”My Little Angel Of Love”. I gave life to a precious angel just a few short days ago …
    http://www.helpmyhurt.com/2008/06/11/poetry-to-ease-the-pain-and-a-poetry-book-give-away/ - 68k -

    Little Angel Of Love”

    I gave life to a precious angel just a few short days ago
    I love her more than life itself but I loved her enough to let her go
    For two short days I held her close in a warm loving embrace
    Those beautiful moment in which we bonded my mind will never erase

    God gave me a Christian couple who can take care of her every need
    My eyes will always be streaked with tears; my heart will forever bleed
    If I could have just one wish, our paths will cross again
    But I’ll hold her close in my heart and love her in silence until then

    I know I did the right thing
    I’m at peace with the Lord above
    And I know he’ll always be watching over
    :”My Little Angel Of Love”

  • Terra Heck
    Jun 24, 2008 at 3:06 am

    I entered my name and it shows a lot of the blog contests that I’ve entered. It also shows my name on the minutes that were taken at the meetings of where I work.

  • Stephen Saunders
    Jun 24, 2008 at 5:12 am

    Stephen (pronounced /ˈstiːvən/) is an English masculine first name, derived through the Latin form Stephanus from the Greek Στέφανος (Stephanos), which means “crown” or “wreath.”

  • Kathy Scott
    Jun 24, 2008 at 9:49 am

    Way to overwhelming. My last name is Scott which can also be a first so millions of hits. My first name is also a very common name.

  • Roger Keeney
    Jun 24, 2008 at 10:06 am

    I found myself metioned in reference to some of my resarch, and som of my other activitis. Vey inteestinng.

  • Tobye
    Jun 24, 2008 at 10:39 am

    I came up as a contributer to our local food bank.

  • 13rubberducks
    Jun 24, 2008 at 11:26 am

    I’m a singer!

  • Susan
    Jun 24, 2008 at 12:11 pm

    I found that there are a LOT of people with my name, but I don’t come up at all.

  • Denyse
    Jun 24, 2008 at 12:37 pm

    I’m on a winners list for 2007- won a Strawberry Shortcake DVD.

  • Desmond
    Jun 24, 2008 at 12:54 pm

    Almost everything is a link to a short story of mine, titled “Wikihistory”.

  • Linda Lansford
    Jun 24, 2008 at 3:12 pm

    Project Finland Grand Prize winners Linda Lansford

  • Wendy
    Jun 24, 2008 at 3:45 pm

    Many hits, mostly for my books and other publications, public appearances, etc.

  • Susan Smith
    Jun 24, 2008 at 5:13 pm

    I entered my name and the most hits are for the women who killed her two kids by putting them in a car and driving the car into the lake and then making up a lie about what happened to them.

  • djp
    Jun 24, 2008 at 5:15 pm

    this would come in mighty handy

  • susan vanrey
    Jun 24, 2008 at 5:35 pm

    not much under my name

  • Mike Weisberg
    Jun 24, 2008 at 6:11 pm

    i want to win

  • Karen Mermel
    Jun 24, 2008 at 7:24 pm

    Concerned about my atheism activities showing up and wondering if that’s why I can’t get a job.

  • Don Dyer
    Jun 24, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    Between ‘Dyer Maker’ by Led Zepplin and Dr. Wayne Dyer…I was no where on the radar scope.

  • Darlene McDaniel
    Jun 24, 2008 at 8:32 pm

    Good Evening! To all of you who have left a comment in the last 24 hours - Thank you for visiting Interview Chatter!

    I appreciate the interesting results that you have found. If you are not finding yourself on the first page, you may want to do some work on your online presence. People are looking for you in one way or another. For our purposes here at Interview Chatter, if you are in the job market your online presence is very important.

  • Darlene McDaniel
    Jun 24, 2008 at 8:45 pm

    Hi Karen! Thank you for your question. Based on what I saw on Google initially on Google, I would think that your participation in atheist activities is not the first thing I see. However with a little bit of scrolling and a secondary Google search, if someone were concerned, they would be able to find additional information about your activities. I didn’t see anything that would give a hiring manager concerns unless they have issues with your choice.

    Has anyone ever implied concerns about your suitability because of your involvement in atheist activities? How long have you been in the market for a job? What type of job are you looking for?

  • Karen Mermel
    Jun 24, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    I’ve been in the job market for a year now. I put my picture on my website so potential employers could see my wrinkles. I must sent out 4-6 resumes per day and follow up with phone but get nothing in return. My resume is on my website. I’m a highly experienced IT professional who is up-to-date with new technologies.

    http://www.karenmermel.com

  • Tammy Curry
    Jun 24, 2008 at 10:23 pm

    Well I showed up on face book, class reunion……Hhmmm.Interesting I showed up on alot of things I don’t remember doing.

  • Tracey M.
    Jun 24, 2008 at 10:33 pm

    First thing that came up on my Google search was that I am a Famous Publicist for many famous people including but not limited to:

    Amy Winehouse
    3 Doors Down
    38 Special (Tour)

  • How Much Time Should You Invest in Social Networking?
    Jun 24, 2008 at 11:29 pm

    […] you are unemployed, and you are not easy to find through a Google Search, then you may find it extremely difficult to find a job through Social Networking. Given the number […]

  • Doreen
    Jun 25, 2008 at 3:58 am

    I found legal petitions I’ve signed, and sweepstakes I’ve won. My life is an open book? Oh well. Nothing I’m ashamed of, that’s for sure!

  • JESSICA G
    Jun 25, 2008 at 4:04 am

    Well, I discovered there’s people alot more succesful than me wih similar names…

  • Tia Carter
    Jun 25, 2008 at 6:53 am

    i hope i win

  • Rebecca Peters
    Jun 25, 2008 at 10:36 am

    When I search for Rebecca Peters I find alot of artists and photographers….Not me

  • Trisha Dowling
    Jun 25, 2008 at 5:35 pm

    there is a vet with my name!

  • CHARLES KASSING
    Jun 25, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    THANKS

  • HEATHER M
    Jun 25, 2008 at 10:42 pm

    My name came up right away and it listed where i work!!

  • Twinks
    Jun 26, 2008 at 12:16 am

    I did a Google search and there are 8 other people with my name. One of them is an executive. Very interesting excercise, thanks so much.

  • Laureen
    Jun 26, 2008 at 2:10 am

    This is something I do regularly, Googling myself. I found that the most popular sites with my name are those of a realtor with my same name. Also, there is still one of my first and only triathlon results from 10 years ago!

  • Kathy Gahan
    Jun 26, 2008 at 2:54 am

    I win!!! Hope so anyways :)

  • Keith
    Jun 26, 2008 at 5:09 am

    I found that over 5 years ago I suggested in a forum that a good name for a rock band might be “chuckle of contempt.” While I still agree with this statement, I can’t get it removed. It’s silly to have show up amid all the good things I’ve tried to accent on my overall internet image.

  • Mark M.
    Jun 26, 2008 at 9:05 pm

    I am a professional baseball player. :)

  • Shania Duncan
    Jun 27, 2008 at 1:22 am

    Quite a few things about Shania Twain since our names are spelled the same, but several things. I’ve written a few articles and comment on sites quite a bit. I even have my own website. Nothing job related though.

  • Aaron Bretveld
    Jun 27, 2008 at 2:18 am

    When I googled my name, every page referenced me directly. Most of the pages were blog posts I have made to enter various sweepstakes, but I also had a few references to the weekly employee newsletter at my current employer and some listings from a Boy Scouts of America related listserv that I was a part of more than 10 years ago.

  • Kathy Mullins
    Jun 28, 2008 at 6:10 pm

    There’s a wedding writer with the same name as myself. Interesting! I am looking for a job and definitely need this book to help me ace those interviews!!

    Thank you.

  • Janet
    Jun 29, 2008 at 9:22 am

    Im a blog sweeper!lol ty 4 the great contest!

  • reeva
    Jun 29, 2008 at 3:32 pm

    I found out i was dead.. sh*t!!!

  • Kayce
    Jun 29, 2008 at 5:17 pm

    I found some very old book reviews.

  • Judy Au
    Jun 29, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    I’m a assistant director in Hong Kong! Guess there aren’t too many out there.

  • R Hicks
    Jun 29, 2008 at 10:12 pm

    Find a lot of other people whom some I would not mind having their credentials. LOL!

  • Gary Osborn
    Jun 29, 2008 at 11:10 pm

    Board of Adjustment Public Hearing Minutes - 12-14-2006

  • Samantha Pruitt
    Jun 30, 2008 at 1:35 am

    i’m an assist leader for an Elsberry basketball team, cool i used to play basketball.

    and i won a ‘Trouble In Mind’ LP from screenhead.com, which i received a few days ago.

  • Leigh Nichols
    Jun 30, 2008 at 3:51 am

    I don’t find much about ME, since I share the same name Dean Koontz decided he needed for his pseudonym…lol

  • Geoff Kaufman
    Jun 30, 2008 at 8:59 am

    I discovered there’s a folk singer who shares my name, and he’s much more famous than I am, because a majority of the hits on the first few pages of my Google search were about him and his recordings and concert schedule. Fun exercise!

  • sarah woods
    Jun 30, 2008 at 10:39 am

    Love the prize; however; many different spellings for sarah woods; rather the the conventional spellings; many thanks

  • Larry West
    Jun 30, 2008 at 1:42 pm

    I discovered that there is a person with my name in my city that is a leader in the Nazi party. Based on the zip code, the person obviously lives in another part of town, but I am afraid that someone googling for me will mistake that idiot for me.

  • Emily Afifi
    Jun 30, 2008 at 1:54 pm

    The first thing I see is my membership in the Manga Cum Laude Honor Society, then a review I wrote for a musical instrument. Other than that, there aren’t too many other people out there with my name to fight with! For some reason, all of my research must not be searchable yet, but maybe in the near future

  • Danielle
    Jun 30, 2008 at 3:35 pm

    Googling oneself is interesting. Used quotes to narrow down the listings and came up with 144 hits. My LinkedIn, Classmates and current job was listed. There is also a doctor with my name… No, I’m not related to Mike Piazza of the Padres. However, sadness goes out to the family whose daughter Danielle Piazza was murdered by an ex-boyfriend.

  • Carissa D.
    Jun 30, 2008 at 3:52 pm

    The first result was for someone else with my name (which is a fairly unique name) who is a model. I came up second and it was a classmates.com listing.

  • David Hollingsworth
    Jun 30, 2008 at 5:34 pm

    I looked up my name on Google, and there were approximately 1,290,000 hits. There are very many men with the same name as me, but they’re more successful, and some of them more popular than me. I also found some websites than I found very familiar.

  • Buddy Garrett
    Jun 30, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    Not too surprising that my name came up since I’ve registered for class reunions and my name is listed on some professional sites. However the site for the actor named Buddy Garrett was new. There are several of us named individuals across America. Here in Georgia there is another guy named Buddy Garrett in Hiwassee Towns County.

  • John Sakowicz
    Jul 1, 2008 at 2:51 am

    I found myself…a hedge fund manager.

  • Donna Kozar
    Jul 1, 2008 at 3:58 am

    I found out that there is a stripper with a name close to mine . Yikes!

  • Darlene McDaniel
    Jul 1, 2008 at 9:06 pm

    Thank you to everyone of you who took on my challenge to do a Google Search on your name. I have selected the winning comment. Check out the post: http://www.interviewchatter.com/social-networking-are-you-findable/

    I also shared a few other comments that I found interesting. If you are really in the job search, take a moment and read some, if not all of the posts written about Social Networking.

    Here is the link: http://www.interviewchatter.com/category/social-networking/

    Thank you again to those who were here to win the book! Have a great night!

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