Keep Your Identity Safe When You're Online

We focus on showing you how to use modern job search methods through social media.  But for many of you, it means your first foray into putting yourself out there online.  And this has generated lots of questions about how to keep your identity safe when you're posting information about yourself.  So we decided to address, and calm, your fears.  It's not that bad out there if you know what to look for and understand how privacy settings work.  Just like in real life.  You wouldn't run around giving your personal information out to strangers you see in public any more than you would wear a t-shirt that listed your name, age and social security number.  Because you recognize that would be dangerous.  Now you just need to learn what defines risky behavior online.  And then don't do that.

There is a difference between your professional social media accounts and your personal ones.  Sites like Facebook and Google+ are more geared for your personal life.  That's not to say they can't be used to help you find a job.  The people you're connected with there are still part of your network and a valuable resource. LinkedIn, a career oriented personal website and a Twitter account would be more for professional use.  Although Twitter can go both ways, and you can have multiple accounts.  You could always set one up for personal use and one for professional use.  While you would want to keep your privacy settings as private as possible on your personal social media accounts, you want to keep your settings the most public on your professional accounts.  But regardless of your privacy settings the same rule applies to both.  Never post sensitive information on either one.

Related:  Using Your Network in Your Job Search

But what information is sensitive, exactly?  Sensitive information online is anything that would remove your anonymity.  But some information is less sensitive and is something you want people to find easily if you're looking for a job or promoting your career.  Your phone number and email address are important pieces of information to include on your LinkedIn profile if you want people to be able to contact you.  You can always set up a separate email account specifically for professional emails.  This information should also be listed on your resume.  Sensitive information you don't want to post that might not seem obvious would be your home address, your schedule (the time/days you're not home), and what kind of car you drive.  Your social security number, where you bank, and any account numbers or information should never be posted anywhere online but that also should go without saying. Most of this is common sense.  If it's not something you'd want your neighbors to know, don't post it online, either.

Related:  Using Social Media to Find a Job

There is a way to control what people see when they search for you by name. Search engine optimization (SEO) services for your name is a worthwhile investment.  There are things that will show up in a search for your name whether you've posted them or not.  For example, your home address is easy to find if you're a homeowner.  It's part of the tax record.  But, if you invest in a little SEO for your name, you can push the information back beyond the first page of Google search results where it's harder to find.  SEO for your name is a very useful tool, not just for hiding what you don't want people to find but to promote what you do want found.  Like your LinkedIn profile, your Twitter or Pinterest accounts or a personal website.  SEO helps you control what information people will see about you online.  If you're concerned at all about what shows up in a search for you, SEO is the only way to go.

Putting yourself out there online doesn't have to be risky.  If you know what information should and shouldn't be posted and how to set your privacy settings, you won't have a problem. That, and a little common sense will keep you relatively safe online.  But remember, just like in real life there are always risks.  You may not be irresponsible enough to wander alone into a dark, sketchy, underground parking structure at night but that doesn't mean you'll never get mugged. Be careful, err on the side of caution and be safe.  Online isn't much different from real life.  It's still people you're dealing with, act accordingly and you'll have a good time.