Creating and managing your own online reputation can be as simple or as intricate as you choose. If you’re currently on the job-hunt, then you should be putting your professional strengths and experiences out there for people to see. If you’re currently employed, focus on maintaining that professional image that is associated with your position.

So, where do you start Creating Your Online Reputation?

The first thing that you should do: GOOGLE YOURSELF. What kinds of links appear on the first few pages? Are these links representing you in a professional manner? Would this be something you would be proud to show a recruiter or employer?

Once you have figured out what is currently available, assess what is appropriate for you to develop into a professional source. How do you want to brand yourself? How do you want to show off your experience or skills? Below are a few suggestions that can get your professional online reputation started.

• LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site that allows you to share your professional experience, connect with fellow colleagues and search for jobs within your networks. This site is search engine optimized- so when someone Googles your name, your LinkedIn profile will be one of the first sites to appear in the results.

• Personal Blog. A blog can show off your strengths and areas of interest. By frequently updating, you also demonstrate consistency within your work. Blogging can be a great way to share your interests with new readers that are not familiar with you. WordPress is a great platform that hosts free blog accounts.

• Personal Web site. Show off some of your work. Put your resume on there. Share a unique story about yourself, what you enjoy doing in your spare time, what are your strengths? How are YOU different from others? While this may be a bit more work, it allows for interactivity within your audience- allowing you complete control of what you want to brand to others.

• Twitter Account. This is a great way to announce a new blog post that you have written. Drive others to your personal Web site you have developed. Follow many professionals in the same business field you are currently or trying to get into. Tweet about relevant information that people will find valuable in order to keep an increasing amount of followers. Throw in a few “personal” tweets every so often- it will give your tweets some personality.

To bring multiple platforms together, make sure that you have included links to your other accounts (so someone can access your Twitter account through your blog or through your LinkedIn account, etc). The important key in all of these online reputation sites is that you maintain consistency. Use the same writing style, images and information in all of these different pieces. Once you’ve started consistent pieces, your name in GOOGLE will be a completely different appearance than before.

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Jeff Bobick recently graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Advertising (management). He is very passionate about seeking work in a digital agency. Jeff has had experience working on CRM, web site design, email marketing, SEO, blogging, competitive research pitches and presentations, and account management within three separate internships (McCann Erickson, Ingenex Digital Marketing, and AFLAC). He can be reached at jeffrey.bobick@gmail.com or http://jeffbobick.wordpress.com

Check out these related posts:

• A New Way for Personal Branding – Use Geolocation to Build Your Personal Brand
• Part 4: How I Work With My Personal Brand – How I Communicate What I Do
• Your Online Reputation: Three Things You Need To Remember
• Personal Branding – What Do Your Personal Brand Represent?
• Build Personal Brand: 7 Tips to get your Personal Brand found online