Did you know that a significant percentage of employers (about 70% (Jobs.ac.uk) search candidates online before interviewing them? From your LinkedIn profile to your more personal social media (including any old or long-forgotten about accounts), they will start to form attitudes and perceptions before even meeting you. Watch this video which shows an example of an interviewer using ‘digital baggage’ to judge unsuspecting Jared!

If you want to be less like Jared and be aware of the digital content, you should try ego-surfing. Ego-surfing is searching the internet for your own name to see what is out there. It might seem a little self-indulgent, but it is a smart way to manage and revise your online content.

Why is ego-surfing a good idea?

Ego-surfing isn’t just a vanity project, it’s digital self-care. Checking your online presence helps you share achievements, promote abilities and protect your reputation.

Protect your reputation 

You can’t control what others say about you, but being aware of it allows you to address outdated or inaccurate information.

Enhance your personal brand 

Are you a small business owner, artist, or entrepreneur? Ego-surfing allows you to tweak your LinkedIn, socials, and website to make sure it reflects your achievements and personality.

Keep your information safe 

Find and remove personal data (addresses and phone numbers, for example) and private information (e.g. content featuring your children) you don’t want to share. It’s also a good way to catch signs of identity theft.

Feel good about yourself 

It’s nice to see recognition for your hard work, whether it’s a university article, a competition result, or a shoutout in your field! Embrace it!

How to ego-surf?

Now you know why you should ego-surf; it is time have a go and take control of your digital footprint! Here’s how to ego-surf:

• Use a private browser, or incognito mode so the results are not personalised to previous browsing history and provide an accurate view of what's publicly available about you.
• Start by typing your full name in quotation marks (e.g. “Full Name”) into major search engines. You should also try combinations including your town/city, employer, or school/university.
• Don’t forget to search Google Images and News to see any photos or articles about you.
• Search within the social media you use, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok. Consider your privacy settings and clean up posts if needed. · Create Google Alerts to be notified when any new content is published.

Tips to keeping your online presence positive:

• Update your profiles: Make sure your professional info is current. Adding more employer friendly content on LinkedIn will bury or dilute existing content you would prefer future bosses not to see.
• Think: Before posting public comments or photos think how it could be construed by others. Could a comment be misinterpreted? Could any banter or inside jokes shared online seem offensive to someone who isn’t involved or privy to the context?
• Celebrate success: Highlight achievements, projects, and causes you care about to create your personal branding differentiate yourself from everyone else.
• Correct mistakes: If you find incorrect information, ask website owners to correct it. For example, there is a Debra Jackson in an Australian University and occasionally I am tagged instead of her on LinkedIn. I always contact the person who posted to let them know of this mistake, one, as I am not a Nursing Researcher and it could confuse future employers, but, secondly, I want the actual Debra to get the credit she deserves.