Do you ever stop to wonder if both your personal and professional records are as spotless as you’d like them to be?
For millions and millions of people, the Internet can be a minefield, one where even one piece of information can come back to haunt them.
For instance, what if there is information or images circulating on the worldwide web that could put your job in jeopardy? The same can be said if such details might place a personal relationship in danger of ending.
That said keeping a clean personal and professional record might be harder to accomplish than you first think.
If you’re worried there may be something out there on the Internet troubling to your life, what will you do about it?
Scour the Internet
So that you can feel better about your personal and professional lives, taking some time to scour the Internet for news and/or images involving you is not a bad idea.
For instance, what if you have an outstanding warrant that you knew nothing about or even slipped your mind? Would you know how to do a warrant check online? In reality, such a search is easier than you might think.
With the right online tool, you can promptly look to see if in fact there is a warrant out for your arrest. Rather than discover it when you get pulled over or law enforcement actually shows up at your front door or even place of employment, know ahead of time if a warrant is weighing on your shoulders.
Lastly, be sure to review the Internet to see if there is any false information being spread that pertains to your personal or professional lives. In the event there is, you may have grounds to proceed with a legal case involving defamation of character.
Your Career Certainly Matters
What would you do if information (true or not) and/or images (not overly complimentary) were to be floating about the Internet regarding your professional life?
While some people might try and bury it, others would do all they could to suppress it. Worse yet, what if you’re a business owner and such stuff are out there online? Would your business take a financial hit as a result?
Those are just some of the things you need to think about in today’s digital age.
Whether right or not, professional images do matter to most people, so not taking this issue seriously could spell trouble for you.
Once again, this is another reason why being pro-active on the Internet is ultimately in your best interests.
Social Media Impact
Finally, today’s digital age means countless people are using social media on a daily basis.
With that being the case, it is important to remember that you have a responsibility if you plan on (or are already) using social networking sites to post comments and/or images.
From a professional standpoint, would you want your boss (or potential employer) seeing questionable comments you made on Facebook or Twitter? What if an image of you less than sober showed up on your Instagram page? Would an employer have questions about your overall moral character?
The same rules apply on social media when it comes to your personal life.
Posting what some may perceive as inappropriate comments or images on social sites could endanger relationships you presently have. Even though you may have meant no harm, the damage could already be done.
The key here is two-fold:
- Know what is out there – First, do your best to know what is out there on the Internet as it relates to your life. No, you can’t control everything that gets out there online, but you can at least be aware of it and do whatever is needed to point out the truth;
- Be an intelligent online user – Secondly, use your head when posting, especially on social media. Don’t set yourself up for potential problems, trouble that you very easily could have prevented by simply using your head before you hit the keyboard or pad.
So, are you doing all you can to keep a clean personal and professional record online?
If not, have any of your actions come back to haunt you?