You can ruin your career and job opportunities at the speed of light. It can take anywhere from a few months to years to clear up the problem. Google is the problem.
More bosses and companies Google their employees and candidates now. Before they give someone a promotion, raise in salary or a brand new job, they Google them. It is an instant reference check. Your boss may Google himself to find out what the world knows about him. He will try to figure out who the person is who slanders him behind the online name “maddog231”. If he figures out it was you, that can be a problem.
Worse, go to Google and you’ll notice a little link by every entry that says “cached.” Cached means stored. Even if your comment is pulled off the internet, Google is going to keep it for a while. If someone cuts and pastes your comment onto their website, that comment could be around for 20 years. There may be no quick fix for the havoc you wreak on yourself by being sharp tongued online.
There is this paradox in pride – it makes some men ridiculous, but prevents others from becoming so. (C. C. Colton)
It is time to start worrying about how you portray yourself in blogs, emails, resumes, reader comments and anything else you do online. Google is a powerful tool. Make sure what you put on the internet helps you instead of hurting you.
Something to do today
Google yourself, your bosses and your company. Did you find anything interesting?
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Later: That loud sucking sound
How to tell who is great
55 gallon oil drums on the horizon