Online Reputation Management

Personal Audit

In the digital age, the resume is just the tip of the iceberg; the real validation happens on the Internet.

Before submitting any application, it is imperative to perform an "ego audit" or Google self-search.

Recruiters will research the candidate's name to see what public information exists, and what they find can make or break the candidacy in seconds.

This audit should be done from an incognito window to avoid results skewed by one's browsing history.

The goal is to identify and clean up any content that does not align with the desired professional image, such as controversial comments on old forums or inappropriate photos on open social networks.

If searching for a prestigious lawyer's name turns up their complaints on a neighborhood blog first instead of their academic accomplishments, there is a reputation problem that should be managed, either by removing the content or burying it under new, positive information.

Creating your own content

The best defense is a good offense.

To control the online narrative, it is not enough to remove the negative; you must actively generate positive content that demonstrates authority and passion for the industry.

Writing articles on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn, having a digital portfolio or even participating in industry podcasts are great ways to "occupy" the top search results.

Imagine a cybersecurity expert who keeps an up-to-date blog on the latest malware threats.

When a recruiter searches for you, they will find tangible evidence of your knowledge and commitment, immediately validating your expert profile.

You don't need to write an entire book like an established author would; small content pills, trend analysis or regularly published case studies build a solid digital footprint that works in the candidate's favor 24 hours a day.

Consistency in networks

Personal branding must be omnichannel and consistent. A common mistake is to have a flawless and "corporate" LinkedIn profile, while the Twitter (X) or Instagram account, which are also public, show immature behavior or radically opposite to the values you are trying to sell. Inconsistency generates distrust.

If a professional sells themselves as "meticulous and detail-oriented" on their resume, but their social networks are full of misspellings and hasty opinions, credibility is broken.

It is critical to align bio, photo and tone across all visible platforms.

This doesn't mean you can't have a personal life, but you must manage the privacy of personal accounts and ensure that everything that remains