7 Ways to Clean Up Your Online Presence Before Applying for Jobs

In today’s hiring landscape, your online presence is often your first impression. Before you even interview, employers may have Googled you, skimmed your LinkedIn, or glanced at your Instagram. That means it's essential to ensure what they find reflects your professionalism, not a college party from 2014.

Here’s how to make sure your online presence is clean, credible, and working for you, not against you.

1. Google Yourself

Start by searching your full name and variations (with and without your middle name, nickname, etc.). Look through the first few pages of results to see what’s out there. If anything questionable or outdated pops up, make note of it.

🔍 Pro Tip: Use an incognito browser so results aren’t personalized.

2. Audit Your Social Media

Go through your public profiles—especially Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter—and remove or hide:

Party photos or anything involving alcohol/drugs

Strong controversial content

Inappropriate jokes, memes, or offensive language

Complaints about former employers or jobs

You don’t need to scrub your personality—but make sure nothing would raise an eyebrow.

3. Set Personal Accounts to Private

If you don’t want to curate your social media for public viewing, simply make those accounts private. That way, you can keep your personal life personal while still maintaining a professional front.

⚠️ Double-check what’s visible in your profile picture, bio, and past tagged photos—even private accounts can reveal more than you think.

4. Polish Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn is often a recruiter’s first stop. Make sure yours is:

Up-to-date with your most recent roles

Includes a clear, professional photo

Features a concise summary of your skills and values

Free of typos or overly casual language

If you don’t have a LinkedIn, now’s the time to create one!

5. Create a Professional Email Address

If you’re still using an address like partygirl98@hotmail.com, it’s time for an upgrade. Use a simple format like firstname.lastname@gmail.com. Bonus points for using the same name across your resume and LinkedIn to make you easy to find.

6. Clean Up Your Digital Footprint

Old blog posts, outdated portfolio sites, or public forums you’ve forgotten about? Do a quick sweep. If anything is no longer relevant—or potentially harmful—remove or update it if you can.

7. Build a Positive Presence

Don’t just delete—add content that shows you in a good light. Consider:

Sharing industry-relevant articles on LinkedIn

Starting a simple personal website or portfolio

Showcasing volunteer work, certifications, or passion projects

Employers love candidates who are thoughtful, engaged, and well-rounded.

You don’t need to be a blank slate—but your online presence should align with the professional image you’re presenting in your resume and interviews. Think of it this way: if a future boss saw your profiles, would you feel confident?

Take a little time to clean up and polish—it could make all the difference in getting your foot in the door.