We are all, whether we like it or not, open to review on the Internet. Gone are the days where getting a little too tipsy at the office party remained private. Today it’s snapped and posted before we even notice.

And pictures are all open to interpretation and embellishment.

You may have seen this photo doing the social media rounds, certainly here in Britain. Horrific isn’t it?

But is it true?

Actually no it’s not, according to this post from The Spectator.

Protect Your Personal Brand

Whatever side of the recruitment fence you’re on, you’re under review! I’m not saying don’t enjoy yourself, just put steps in place to remove or untag yourself from unflattering photos.

Google Yourself

Luckier for those with common names and crucial for those of us with unusual names!

Run a search for yourself, especially images. For the best results clear all browsing history and ensure that you’re logged out of Google+. I find it easier to use a different browser so I don’t lose all my passwords.

This is my result. Clearly some are me, some are not. But here’s the trick…

The pic I have highlighted could work for me or against me. I know it’s harmless but as in this instance it’s difficult to have it removed (and I don’t want to ask Google to do it) all I can do is push it down the search results by clicking on the flattering images of myself.

So, if you can’t get a pic removed… don’t keep clicking on it!

Untag Yourself

As I mentioned in my last post, Facebook Graph search has made it easy for job seekers to find you. So check what you’re tagged in!

From the padlock, top right, select Who can see my stuff, and Use Activity Log.

Firstly, click Timeline Review, then the cog and turn on your Timeline Review, which will stop people posting on your timeline without permission.

Secondly, click Photos and Photos of You and see what you’re tagged in.

If you want to untag yourself, simply click where indicated in blue and ask to be removed. Easy!

Audit Twitter And Ask

On Twitter run a search of your own username and then select photos from the results. Give them a once over.

Unfortunately you can’t remove mentions easily but you can ask the person who sent the tweet to remove it. Hopefully they’ll be kind.

You may want to repeat this process for Instagram, Vine and anywhere else you suspect.

This party season own your personal brand and spare yourself future hassle.