Back in the day…… one of the most important obstacles in securing your dream job (other than skills, interviews & receiving the offer) was getting a good reference from your previous employers. These days there’s an extensive social media list of obstacles to consider aswell i.e. Google, Twitter, Facebook etc etc……

It used to be that an inappropriate email address or bad reference would get you overlooked by potential employers, where as now a bad Facebook profile or Google search can leave you in the starting blocks while your competitors race ahead.

Some questions to ask yourself:

1. Have you typed your name into Google? (i.e. Lipton Fleming)
2. What do Facebook, Twitter and Google say about you?
3. Are your pictures appropriate?
4. Is your language appropriate?
5. Do you look employable at first glance from your online profile?

Employers, hiring managers and recruiters are all very interested in how you present yourself in order to eliminate potential “time wasters”. According to an article in the New York Times  75% of recruiters are required to screen online.

Remember: Check your profile settings today and make sure you don’t make your first impression an unforgettable one, for all the wrong reasons.