At a friend 's wedding , you danced with a beer in hand and pictures were taken . No big deal , right ? Right—unless the photo is seen online by a potential employer who thinks you look frivolous . `` Your first impression is n't made with a firm handshake—it 's with a Google search , '' says Dan Schawbel , the author of `` Me 2.0 . '' Real Simple : Sell your used electronics . A recent survey confirms this : A whopping 70 percent of U.S. business managers say they decided not to hire a job candidate based upon something found out about her online . So it 's crucial to keep your virtual self , well , virtuous . Here 's how . Clean up your pagesSocial-media sites , like Facebook and Twitter , appear high in search results , so opt for the highest privacy settings on these networks . Also , `` remove complaints about your job or boss , any confidential work information , and photos of yourself acting in a way that could be construed as inappropriate , '' says Lindsey Pollak , a global spokesperson for LinkedIn , a networking website . Do the same for any photo-sharing services you use . Real Simple : Computer ports : All you need to know . If an unflattering photo appears on someone else 's page , ask her to remove it . ( Alas , she does n't have to comply . ) If it 's pornographic , it 's a good idea to alert the authorities . Maintain a good ( online ) reputation '' If you 're nowhere to be found on Google , employers may question whether you have kept up with the latest trends or are qualified for a job that requires minimal digital skills , '' says Dorie Clark , a blogger for Harvard Business Review . Real Simple : 10 Facebook and Twitter mistakes that could cost you your job . If you 're looking for a job as an interior designer , for example , start a blog on your favorite home decor . Employers will be impressed by your initiative , says Pollak . ( Wordpress and Blogger offer free services . ) Real Simple : The tech etiquette manual . Keep job news offlineGot an offer ? Great . But do n't announce it on Facebook until you clear it with your employer-to-be , says Pollak . People have been fired after posting online about their employment without the sanction of the new boss , experts say . Stick with spreading your good fortune in person . Real Simple : A Real Simple guide to social media sites .
Photos and social media posts with risque themes can spark a job search . Cleaning up your Facebook and Twitter feeds could attract potential employers . Maintain a professional online presence , especially if you want to work on the Web . Do n't announce a new job on social media until your new employer says it 's OK .