Pandora’s Blog is a great blog that I check out frequently, and it comes  from the folks at PC Pandora.  They have shared an article from CareerBuilder.com writer Rachel Zupek – check out this great advice:

October 12, 2009
‘Digital dirt’ can haunt your job search
By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

(CareerBuilder) — Just like Vegas, what happens on the Internet, stays on the Internet. How that affects your job search is up to you.

Gone are the days when all you were concerned with was whether or not your résumé and cover letter were error-free.

Now, you’ve got bigger things to worry about — like what kind of personal information is floating around online.

Job seekers should not only manage how they come across in person, but on the Web, too.

We often forget that everything you post online, from your Facebook profile to your Amazon book reviews, is out there for others to see and judge.

“Most employers nowadays hop on Google to search a name as a preliminary step, either before or right after the interview,” says Monique Tatum, author of “Jumping Off the Curb and Into SEO Traffic.” “A positive and strong online presence can play a tremendous part in the employer’s first impression.”

In 2009, 45 percent of employers used social networking sites to research candidates, according to a CareerBuilder survey, a 23 percent increase from last year.

Thirty-five percent of employers said that what they found caused them not to hire a candidate.

“Hiring someone is scary,” says Zack Grossbart, a virtual team coach and author of “The One Minute Commute.”

“You’re paying them to represent your company, and your reputation affects theirs. No company wants a newspaper headline with their name in it because of an embarrassing employee.”…

Help people get something done or teach them something, Grossbart says. Respond to forum posts, answer questions or comment on blogs. Helping people is the perfect way to showcase your talents to potential employers.

2. Join social networks, both for career purposes and social purposes

“Tell people in your network you are actively seeking a job. Even if you use online job boards, it’s more likely that your real-world network of people will help you find the job of your dreams, or at least move your application to the top of the pile,” Merritt says.

3. If you can’t delete it, smother it

“Potential employers are far less likely to find something if it is on the 10th page of your search results,” Grossbart says.

“It can also be worthwhile to post more content to the same site. If your dirt is on Facebook, then posting more good professional content right there is likely to replace your dirt.”

4. Avoid joining groups or engaging in online activities that could embarrass or restrict opportunities

Of course, during a job hunt you should consider your overtly controversial activities such as political, religious or social movements, Merritt says.

It’s all part of the online picture of you, so make sure it is the most accurate and flattering view. And it sounds obvious, but travel tips, book reviews and online gaming advice might not paint the picture of a “nose to the grindstone” kind of person, Merritt says.

“For example, one applicant was a fan of romantic novels, and I found myself reading her reviews on Amazon.com. There was no impact on her job application, but I did waste oodles of time.”

5. Beware the cybertwin

Be wary of people out there on the Internet with the same name as you, Merritt says.

“What if your cybertwin is in prison or owns a racist Web site? Find out who is out there with any variation of your name and be prepared to discuss and explain.”  Read the Blog