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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To remind people to google yourselves and manage your online image!!

303 replies

MoanaMum · 09/08/2018 14:18

I am currently recruiting for two high profile posts in our company. I've had some great CVs and applications through, but if candidates think we won't google people and check social media they are a bit naive, and unfortunately it can really change the impression a potential employer is left with. So if you are looking for jobs, take a moment to go through what your FB page looks like from an outsider, your twitter, etc and do google your name!! Just come across one which, well, just wow!!

OP posts:

Blostma · 09/08/2018 14:22

DD was involved in the recruitment for a new HT at her high performing very serious secondary school recently. I googled the name of one of the applicants and first result was a Vimeo link to an application to take part in a popular tv show. It was excruciating. She did not get the job.

Original poster

MoanaMum · 09/08/2018 14:31

It's amazing what you find online, and how easy it is to find it. Now no-one expects people to be perfect, or not to have non-work lives but so many things send such a particular message about who you are. I think the over 45s are somewhat more naive about it than the 20-35s (who seem more savvy about their online presence!). I just found one which very much promoted Britain first type activities - given the type of job we are recruiting for, this is NOT a positive trait!!

OP posts:

TerfsUp · 09/08/2018 14:35

Hmm. Glad you reminded me to do a check. My Google results turn up only professional activities and the fact that I wrote a book.

Original poster

MoanaMum · 09/08/2018 14:38

Exactly Terfs it can be a really positive part of the process as well and really enhance people's profile, individuals just need to be aware of what their name brings up.

OP posts:

popocatepetals · 09/08/2018 14:41

I have an extremely common name, so I don't know how much luck anyone would have googling me.

popocatepetals · 09/08/2018 14:42

Nope. Not a sausage about me at all.

DGRossetti · 09/08/2018 14:45

I have an extremely common name, so I don't know how much luck anyone would have googling me.

Or rather, hope they don't google the wrong one and take that as gospel ? We have yet to hear of someone who lost a job because the recruiters googling was a bit lazy shit and they managed to read about a different person ....

TheThirdOfHerName · 09/08/2018 14:48

I have only ever shared safe / innocuous things on twitter and Instagram. Likewise Facebook profile photos and cover photos (which are public). I also regularly check how my Facebook account appears to the public and also to 'friends of friends'.

However, if someone googles my name, they get various results about dozens of people, none of whom are me.

aaahhhBump · 09/08/2018 14:49

Just googled myself to check only my LinkedIn is recognisable as me. There are others with identical names which could be an issue. Would they double check they had the right one?

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 09/08/2018 14:49

The thing is are job seekers not allowed to go out and let their hair down. Are they not allowed a past. Just because there is a photo of Emma pissed back in 2012. does that mean she deserves to be punished with permanent unemployment. She could be perfect for the job. Did you never make a fool of yourself in your younger day.
I'd be more interested in a persons enthusiasm than and old picture on bloody face book.

TheThirdOfHerName · 09/08/2018 14:50

166 people on LinkedIn have the same name as me.

fanfan18 · 09/08/2018 14:51

I use most social media platforms, signed out of them all and googled myself with town and I can't find me! :(
Good thing I guess

Handsoffmyusername · 09/08/2018 14:51

What would you think OP if you couldn't find anything online about an applicant at all? I don't use my real name on social media and I don't use Linkedin either. I definitely exist, just don't like the idea of anyone googling me.

TheThirdOfHerName · 09/08/2018 14:51

49 people with my full name (the one I use for job applications) in the UK alone.

AjasLipstick · 09/08/2018 14:54

Mine's been well-managed. I've also bought the domain names of my children's names for their future use should they want them. I've never posted any images of them either.

AgentProvocateur · 09/08/2018 14:54

I interviewed for a receptionist, and she would have got the job if her FB Page wasn’t a stream of sectarian shite.

Idontbelieveinthemoon · 09/08/2018 14:55

My Facebook profile comes up as the number one of my name but I've checked how it looks to anyone I'm not friends with and all they're able to see is my profile picture and cover photo.

I don't show up anywhere else. I'm fairly strict about online stuff though as I teach a reception class so am wary of having too much exposure.

diddl · 09/08/2018 14:55

Isn't it possible to not have your FB profile show up when you google?

eyycarumba · 09/08/2018 14:55

@Awwlookatmybabyspider and that's why you make your social media private.

We recently hired and I helped with selection, we checked out the candidates and one had shared EDL/anti-muslim videos. Safe to say, he didn't a call.

LoveInTokyo · 09/08/2018 14:55

I don't care if Emma went out and got pissed in 2012.

I would be hesitant to employ Emma if she was daft enough not to have locked down her Facebook profile so potential employers couldn't see pictures of her pissed in 2012.

Bestseller · 09/08/2018 14:56

If you Google me you find out where i worked in my last two and current jobs because I'm still on their websites and named as a contact in some adverts they put out. You find my name linked a lot to some charities I've volunteered with and you find all my sporting results.

This is all fairly positive, although one of the jobs was a very lowly part-time position compared to the persona I'd prefer to have out there now, but I have no control over any of it. It does bother me that it's so easy to find out my whereabouts, routines and interests.

On FB I'm very aware that anything posted can quickly become very public and mostly only use it for keeping up to date with mutual interest groups. I'm only a lurker on Twitter.

What else should I be checking?

Pouting profile pictures are surprisingly common even among applicants for senior level professional positions and never give a great impression.

Nousernameforme · 09/08/2018 14:58

I've just checked and i'm not the only one of my name in my town never mind the googleverse. All these other ones seem to have much busier and more fulfilling lives than me. So google away potential future employers

LoveInTokyo · 09/08/2018 14:59

I am still dithering over whether to take my husband's surname and this thread is making me think maybe I should.

I would be the only one in the world (to my knowledge) and I could quite easily control what ended up online under that name, especially if I keep my Facebook account under my current name. And my current name is very common so although there's not much chance of me being found, there is the potential for mistaken identity.

TheThirdOfHerName · 09/08/2018 14:59

Many parents seem to be keen on giving their children unusual names or names that will stand out. I'm very happy having a name that's close to ungooglable.

DN4GeekinDerby · 09/08/2018 14:59

It seems my name was more popular about 30 years before I was born as I'm getting way more older people and obituaries. The only things even remotely connected to me in the first 5 pages are my alumni page at my high school and my goodreads page. Google mostly brings up many similar names that are a letter or four off. Oddly, adding my city gave fewer results with my actual name than just using my name.

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