We live in a world in which students Google their professors, and patients Google their therapists—and job applicants should be fully prepared for prospective employers to search for them online.
What they find may play a role in how you are perceived as a candidate and whether or not you are invited to come in for an interview. With that in mind, before you apply for any position, consider this advice:
Google yourself. Do a search to make sure your online presence is professional and complete.
Scrub any questionable photos or posts. Delete any photos that might undermine the professional look you want to present. Also, check your privacy settings to be sure you are not inadvertently sharing too much personal content.
Consider creating a professional website. Link to your articles and list any other accomplishments—make it a living version of your CV. Having a website that highlights your achievements, experience and career goals can be particularly useful if you have a common name, such as John Smith.