Here at Reputation.com, we work hard to help our customers show the world who they really are online. In some cases, this means helping customers track down and remove outdated or defamatory content from the web. Other times, it means helping our customers create new content and build a strong online presence through targeted social media. In most cases, it requires a combination of both approaches, which is something that Brent Humphries explains eloquently in a recent column for the Wall Street Journal.

Humphries, who is currently seeking employment after losing his position as a technology manager in June, writes that his strategy for protecting his online reputation during his job search is three-fold: “monitor, manage, and manufacture.”

To this end, I’m going to share Humphries’ insights for each step.

On monitoring:

Monitoring what the Internet says about me isn’t very exciting, but it’s an important first step. The easiest way for someone else to get some quick information about me is to search on Google, so I need to keep myself informed about the information that Google will present others about me. The first link in the search results that is actually about me is the link to my Twitter account. The first time I checked Google after signing up for Twitter, I was a little surprised to see it so high in the search results, since I didn’t consider it noteworthy. Lesson learned: I need to keep closer track of every piece of online information I post, because there’s no way of knowing for sure where the information shows up.

On managing:

I take steps to manage my online reputation by educating myself, using a pseudonym where appropriate, and taking steps to correct information where I can. It’s been helpful to learn about the way information is collected, aggregated, stored, organized, searched, and presented online. In order to separate information that I want associated with my actual name from information that I don’t, I make use of pseudonyms. Unfortunately, nothing can totally erase information that’s already been published. Often, the best you can do is make the information hard to find, then hope that prospective employers don’t put enough effort in their online searching.

On manufacturing:

Aside from monitoring and managing my online reputation, I’m manufacturing information. If I can control the information that’s easy to find about me online, I can present the best view to potential employers. I’ve set up a Google profile with information that I want potential employers to know. In addition, I’m currently working on a re-launch of my own Web site that I can use to publish information about myself, as well as aggregate information from other sites I use and participate in.

Kudos to Mr. Humphries for taking these intelligent and practical steps to protecting and promoting his good name online. If you’re currently unemployed, we highly recommend you take Mr. Humphries’ advice. It will greatly improve your chances of finding a position. If you need help getting started, feel free to give us a call at 877-720-6488 or contact us online.

If you are fortunate enough to have a job right now, don’t think you can sit back and rest easy though. Maintaining your online reputation isn’t just something that job seekers need to do. If you make one too many social media slip-ups, you could find yourself joining their ranks. For more tips on keeping your job once you’ve gotten it, check out our “Don’t Get Fired Because of the Internet Survival Guide.”