Students Clean on-line Image Before Job Search

2/19/2013 (Updated 6:47:53 PM)

(Source: Jason Weinstein)

"If you're getting drunk at a party and there's a picture of you taking shots, take that down. Just take it down," said BU senior Jessie Rubin.

Sage advice as college seniors are looking to make the transition from campus to career.

"Linkedin, facebook, twitter, tumblr, this is you. This is the image you're putting out there to the world," said Rubin.

With most college students having an on-line presence they have to make sure pictures of fun times in college don't lead to hard times after graduation.

"We post crazy things during college and we just have to be aware of what to do. People are changing their names on facebook thinking jobs won't be able to find them but the truth is if you just google someone's name you'll be able to find their facebook page, even if you change your name," said Rubin.

Popular moves include having your facebook page under a fake name or de-tagging yourself from possibly compromising pictures. De-tagging, or removing your name from a picture to make it less associated with you, can take up to four weeks to take effect and may not be enough.

"De-tagging is not effective. Delete the picture if you don't want it because if it's de-tagged it's still on the internet and you're still tagged in one or two other pictures in that album. It's easy to find," said Rubin.

But it's not all bad news. Aside from hiding embarrassing moments or erasing late-night tweets, you can also use social media to highlight your strengths.

"I interned at VH1 this past summer and it was an incredible experience. And I was talking to my boss and he was saying how someone was actually hired based on their Twitter feed because their voice was so awesome and out there," said Rubin.

Rubin says a good rule of thumb is this - if you wouldn't want your grandmother to see a certain picture of you, it shouldn't be on facebook.

****In Vestal, Jason Weinstein, Fox 40 HD News****

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