I'm thinking about registering my fullname.com to blog about affiliate marketing and such, but I'm currently in college. In the summer of 2008 I will be searching for jobs, and I don't want my website to hamper my efforts. I don't want the employer to not hire me because I have a blog. I won't be complaining about anything on it, and it won't really contain much personal info other then my name. My last name is not very common, it gets 190 searches from google when I type it it, and when I type in my full name (first and last) there are only 9 results, so I would most likely be at the first page result. Has anyone dealt with this before?
Well, some employers might look at it as a public relations issue..if they fire you and you get pissed off, you might right an article bashing the company. I suppose I could just sign a contract saying that I won't write about the company. The other issue is that since my last name is so rare (there are only 2 families with it where I like, 2 listings in the phone book), that it would be really easy for someone who was pissed off at something I wrote to track me down and.... ____?
Well, as long as you do not talk about your job and keep your blog personal and separate from work, I don't see any problem with that. Those who got in trouble are those who talk about their work, co-workers or their bosses. If you start a blog and you talk about your holidays, your pets or your interests, you should do fine. Just don't blog about anything which may implicate you. Blogs are commonplace now and it would seems that a lot of people have them. If you are not allowed to have a blog because you work then there wouldn't be much out there anymore. In fact, some companies have blogs and do encourage their employees to have them.
Any company that will not hire you because you have a blog is a company not worth working for. Blogs are not black hat by any means and should not be frowned upon by any legit company. I think you are worrying about nothing here. I say go for it and blog away.
No, but I'm sure they would do a background check, and part of that would be typing in my name on google. Thanks for the input everyone, I think I will do it!
Most companies now, with the exception of McDonalds and similar, do web checks now as part of the hiring process, I do this all the time and you'd be surprised what can be found on the person with the perfect resume . If your blog is just about internet marketing, it may actually help you get the job as it shows ambition, especially if you are trying to get a job with an internet company. MySpace is the new job killer, people post things about themselves that they think no one important will see, and worse than that, incriminating pictures like doing a keg stand while taking a hit off a bong. As long as a search for your name only shows positive things, you'll be fine.
Having a blog can actually help you if you do productive things with it, especially if it shows off your skills.
Why? I would think an employer might want to do this..or maybe someone you are dating..just curiosity. I've googled my friends names in Google when I've been bored.
I got hired at a major company (> 4,000 employees) and used my internet marketing blog as a POSITIVE point in my interview. They were very impressed that I stay up with current trends, knowledge, etc PS: My job title is Organic Search Engine Optimization
I google nearly every person that is interviewing me and they have told me they google everyone they interview as well.
Some employers will search online so make sure that what they find is good. Your name domain would probably be the first result. If you are worried you can always create a fake name. Like Shoemoney (but assuming no one knew his real name which they do). That way you can still run something but go undetected. Edit: Oh and never have a personal blog. They have ways of finding out and you could get fired. Skinny