Your online presence is your first impression before you even submit an application. In today’s job market, hiring managers and recruiters routinely Google candidates and review social media profiles as part of their vetting process. The good news? You have complete control over what they find.
A digital audit isn’t about erasing your personality or pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s about presenting your most professional, polished self to potential employers. Taking a few hours to clean up your digital footprint can be the difference between landing an interview and getting passed over. This blog walks you through how to audit and optimize your online presence before you start your job search.
Pro Tip: Set a calendar reminder to review your digital presence every 6 months, even when you’re not actively job searching. Staying ahead of this keeps you ready for unexpected opportunities.
Google Yourself and Audit Your Social Media
Before you start applying, search your name exactly as it appears on your resume. Use an incognito window to see unbiased results without your personal browsing history influencing what pops up. Look at the first two pages of results and take note of everything that appears. Most recruiters won’t dig deeper than that, so this is what they’ll see when they search for you.
Here’s something important to know: nearly half of employers are less likely to call candidates for an interview if they can’t find them online at all. But the flip side is just as critical. More than half of employers have passed on candidates because of what they found on social media. The takeaway? You need an online presence, but it needs to be the right one.
Once you know what’s out there, it’s time to audit your social media accounts. Start with the big three: LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. These are where employers look first. Scroll through your last year of posts, comments, and tagged photos. Ask yourself one simple question: would I be comfortable with a hiring manager seeing this? If the answer is no, it’s time to clean it up. Remove or untag yourself from photos that show excessive drinking, inappropriate behavior, or anything that doesn’t align with the professional image you want to project. Delete posts with profanity, negative comments about past employers, or controversial content that could raise red flags.
Pro Tip: Search your name in Google Images too. Visual content can be just as revealing as text, and it’s often what catches an employer’s attention first.
Adjust Your Privacy Settings (But Don’t Rely on Them Completely)
Once you’ve cleaned up your content, it’s time to review your privacy settings on every platform and tighten them where needed. On Facebook, limit who can see your posts, photos, and friends list. If most of your content is personal rather than professional, consider switching your Instagram account to private. LinkedIn, on the other hand, should remain public since it’s your professional storefront and you want recruiters to find you there.
Here’s the reality check: privacy settings aren’t foolproof. Screenshots exist, mutual connections can still see content, and settings change when platforms update their policies. The best rule of thumb? Don’t post anything you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see, regardless of your privacy settings. Think of privacy controls as a helpful layer of protection, not a bulletproof shield.
Pro Tip: Check your tagged photos and posts regularly. Friends can tag you in content that doesn’t reflect well on you, so review your tagging settings and remove tags that don’t align with your professional image.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: Make It Work for You
LinkedIn is the first place employers look, so treat it like your digital resume and portfolio combined. Start with your headline. Update it to reflect what you do and what you’re looking for, not just your current job title. A headline like “Property Manager | Passionate About Creating Communities” is far more compelling than simply “Property Manager at XYZ Company.”
Next, write a compelling “About” section that tells your professional story in a conversational tone. This isn’t the place for a dry recitation of your resume. Talk about what drives you, what you’ve accomplished, and where you’re headed. Add a professional headshot (profiles with photos get significantly more engagement), and fill out your experience section with accomplishments, not just job duties. Use numbers and results wherever possible. Request recommendations from former managers or colleagues to build credibility, and engage with industry content by liking, commenting, and sharing relevant posts. This shows you’re active and engaged in your field, not just passively scrolling.
Pro Tip: Turn on LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature but make it visible only to recruiters, not your entire network. This signals you’re open to opportunities without alerting your current employer.
Create Positive Content to Boost Your Digital Footprint
If your search results are sparse or outdated, it’s time to start creating content that showcases your expertise and interests. You don’t need to become an influencer or post daily to make an impact. Share industry articles on LinkedIn with your own thoughtful commentary about why the topic matters or how it applies to your work. Engage authentically with content from industry leaders and peers. Instead of dropping a generic “Great post!” comment, add your perspective or ask a thoughtful question that moves the conversation forward.
The goal isn’t to rack up likes or followers. It’s to show potential employers that you’re engaged, knowledgeable, and active in your professional community. Consistent, quality engagement speaks volumes about your critical thinking skills and genuine interest in your field.
Pro Tip: When you share or comment on content, ask yourself: does this add value or insight? Quality engagement beats quantity every time.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Digital Story
Your online presence is within your control, and a digital audit is one of the smartest investments you can make in your job search. Taking a few hours to review and optimize how you show up online can open doors that might otherwise stay closed.
Key takeaways to remember: Google yourself first to see what employers will find. Audit all platforms and remove anything that doesn’t reflect your best professional self. Use LinkedIn as your professional showcase. Create positive content that demonstrates your expertise. Your digital footprint tells a story about who you are. Make sure it’s the story you want employers to read.
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