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What to Do When Google Shows Up for The Interview Before You do!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

 

Were You Googled?"We Googled You."  This was the response to my question to out of state clients who unnerved me by how much they seemed to know about me prior to our first meeting with them six years ago. We were riding together to see homes in a mini-van.  At the  time, I didn't even know what Google was.  But my prospective clients had already scoped me out. 

"We Googled You" is also the title of a recent case study, by Diane Coutu, published in the Harvard Business Review about  a "fictional character"  Mimi Brewsterwho is being interviewed for a job with a major corporation in China.  As an exceptionally qualified candidate, Ms. Brewster finds that her Curriculum Vitae on the Google Search engine proves to be more persuasive than her paper version!

The case study enfolds to ask readers to submit their thoughts about how to handle the company's discovery,  through a Google Search inquiry,  that newspaper reports had reported that Ms. Brewster has been involved in some activities that might be considered "subversive" in intention by the Chinese government & could potentially hinder the company's ability to expand its operations overseas. 

The article highlights the fact that privacy on-line is becoming an increasingly hot issue.  Employers, concerned about minimizing risk in hiring decisions are going on-line to investigate potential employees.  This is occuring in tandem with burgeoning Internet usage. 

According to a 2006 report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 69% of all adult women & 71% of all adult men now use the Internet.  Almost 83% of individuals between the ages of 18 - 49are now online & 90% of households earning over $50,000 a year use the Internet.  55% of Americans between the ages of 17 - 29 are involved with social networks & 63 % of those with profiles on social networks believe that they could be identified on the basis of the profiles they had placed on-line. 

The emergence of rating services for professionals such as rateyourrealtor.com & rateyourmd.com are encouraging individuals to critique the services of the professionals with whom they interact.  On both of these services, patients & clients gave their opinions & shared their experiences on the quality of service provided complete with a Star Rating System.  As real estate professionals, it is important for us to be aware of these significant developments & to understand how they can impact us as we interview for the job of a home listing or secure a buyer's agent contract.

The Harvard Review magazine published the advise of 4 experts which included a professor of law, John G. Palfrey Jr. who authors a blog at http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/palfrey/, Jeffrey A. Joerres, the Chairman & CEO of Manpower, Danah M. Boyd a doctoral candidate at the University of California, Berkley who maintains a blog at zephoria.org and Michael Fertick, the founder and CEO of Reputation Defender, a company that finds and removes unwelcome on-line content.  Here's a brief summary of their recommendations & some thoughts about their relevance to the real estate industry in light of the new nature of on-line investigations into the backgrounds of individuals.

Palfrey: 

  • Recognize that digital information is highly malleable & can be easily manipulated.  Don't necessarily believe everything you read on-line.  Investigate further.  Palfrey thinks we are headed for a really big backlash at some point- there are going to be train wrecks as people who post too much personal information on-line begin to realize the consequences.
  • As real estate professionals, most of us are just beginning to participate actively in the arena of social networking.  From reading Palfrey's summary, I would conclude that it is important for us to be aware of the far reaching consequences of our on-line behavior & also be careful to withold judgement pending further investigation about what we read about others.

Jorres: 

  • According to Jorres, "Today, qualified candidates can be Googled out of the contention for a job before they even get a foot in the door for an interview"...Many new high school and college graduates don't truly understand this until they are sitting in a job interview and the HR manager opens a file that includes not only their resume but also their latest blog entries and party photos. Online content is public information, and it is fair game for employers to ask about it."
  • As real estate professionals, we should understand that every listing & buyer appointment is a job interview.  Several professionals are already using the Internet very effectively to highlight their services to potential clients.  This can result in an advantage in a hiring decision if an online presence is well managed & presented. Joerres suggest that professionals invest time in building their web content online to create positive impressions.  Being proactive in this brave New World is infinitely more beneficial than not knowing what is being said or being passive.  Blogging is an excellent vehicle to build positive online content.

Boyd: 

  • Ms. Boyd, a veteran of Internet blogging (10 years) has an interesting perspective.  She states "Part of living in a networked society is learning how to accessories our digital bodies, just as we learn to put on the appropriate clothes to go to the office."  She indicates that the best minds of her generation are involved in social networking & to find "creatives," employers will need to change the ways in which they evaluate potential hires.
  • We have become an increasingly narcissistic society and the real estate profession certainly reflects this trend.  It's all about ME!  Witness the nature of most of our marketing materials, bill boards, personal brochures, personal CD's etc.  We seek fame in all sorts of ways, not unlike the popularity and rise of reality TV shows.  Our online websites & blogs reflect this on-going evolution in personal & professional development.  We are all still learning what it means to be human & to function in cyberspace...learning requires the making of some mistakes.  A vibrant presence on-line provides a lot of opportunity for professional interaction & growth as well as exposure to the latest trends. 

Fertik: 

  • "If you Google anyone hard enough, you'll find some dirt.  This is the new reality."....Your CV is no longer what you send to your employer - it's the first ten things that show up on Google."  Fertik's firm specializes in removing the dirt from your on-line profile.  But even he is limited in terms of what he can do to expunge certain types of records.  For instance, he would not try to remove unfavorable newspaper articles because in his opinion this would be "bad constitutional practice, and in almost every case, we would fail."
  • As real estate professionals we should ask ourselves...Do we know what the first 10 Things which would show up on Google if our names were searched online?  It's important to understand that our employers, including those who are seeking to employ the services of a real estate professional will increasingly use this medium to create a more comprehensive profile.   
  • Fertik indicates that we need to be aware of what is being said about us online.  This is more true today as information reaches a much broader audience.  One of the easiest methods of being notified of online conversations is to create a Google Alert.  An alert can simply be your name or may incorporate titles of recent postings.  Either way, you will find that this gives you up to date information about information which you can respond to or correct as appropriate.  This is one area in which it is "risky behavior" to be taken unawares.

In the closing of the article, the fictional boss & his wife are having a conversation about why Ms. Brewster's application was denied.  "Martha was quiet for a few minutes as she tried to process the news.  She didn't think anyone was going to just forgive and forget.  "Internet postings are like tattoos," she said, ending the short silence. " They never go away."

Comments (78)

Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead
Wow, powerful information! Great post Lola! I've often pondered what the consequences of today will be down the road as blogging grows and more and more people put random information out there.
May 30, 2007 04:09 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Maxwell, Thanks for your comment & the tip about checking other search engines by utilizing quotes. 

Ryan, Thanks for stopping by to visit & comment.  There will probably be a lot of "unintended" consequences...some great & some not so great.  I heard about one individual who was offered a great job because a potential employer read some blog posts that he had written.  You never know where all this may lead!

May 30, 2007 04:22 AM
Klaus Nicholson
ROSE ANNE ERICKSON REALTY, LLC. Columbus Ga, Ft Benning, - Columbus, GA
Realtor, Columbus Ga Homes, Fort Benning Homes
Excellent post Lola.  Can you imagine what information is going to be available in 10 years. 
May 30, 2007 04:23 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Rebecca, that is brilliant. I will send to my 5 kids.
May 31, 2007 10:19 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
Hi Rebecca, Thanks for stopping by!  Love the graphic...it truly makes the point!
Jun 01, 2007 05:34 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Klaus... there's a part of me that shudders to think of what will be available in 10 years!  It will be interesting...perhaps computers will not only be able to tell us what we shouldn't have done, but also provide a seemless path to a life without any errors or mistakes... :)

Missy, Our kids DO need to see this!

Jun 01, 2007 05:37 AM
Jeff R. Geoghan
Coldwell Banker Realty - Lancaster, PA
REALTOR, Marketing Manager
I'm looking at the comic and thinking, what if Jack had INVENTED myspace?  Then what?
Jun 01, 2007 06:10 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
Hmm...interesting question Jeff.  If Jack had invented myspace, he probably wouldn't have been flipping burgers....he'd BE the employer! :) However, the point is well taken that the "creatives" of the future will probably not be doing everything by the old fashioned playbook.  Appreciate your comment.
Jun 01, 2007 06:52 AM
Donna Lueder
Integrity Group Inc. - Boise, ID
Meridian Idaho Real Estate

Good post... Google has helped me out with "marginal clients" as well as keeping an eye on myself. I like to see what is out there about me too. You never know

 

Jun 01, 2007 09:42 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
Hi Donna,  Until this post, it had not occurred to me that real estate agents might want to google clients...I guess the knife cuts both ways!  It is a good thing to keep an eye on what turns up on a google search with your name etc.  Thanks for your comment.
Jun 01, 2007 11:42 AM
Carol Smith
Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

I have Googled potential/new clients.  And it's surprising what comes up at times.  I also use another site to research folks when I have that 'questionable' feeling about them.

It's at http://www.fosson.com/html/welcome_to_fosson_com__online_.htm 

You can also Google a site called Virtual Gumshoe for lots of info. 

Jun 02, 2007 10:23 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Lola - the internet can certainly be a scary place.  It is amazing what one can find out about another person -- We should all be aware of the matters you have raised in this blog.  I do think over time, however, our internet footprint begins to fade away.

Jun 04, 2007 02:46 PM
Amber Smith
ERA Showcase Real Estate - Yuba City, CA

We discovered the power of this with our first web site.   A local broker wanted to see our new site, so he did a search for 'Amber Smith' and clicked on the first site in the list - ambersmith.com (not exactly adult only - but pretty close).  He called us right away and told us what an interesting site we had - but he wasn't sure what it had to do with real estate.  We all had a good laugh about it.

Thanks for the thoughtful info!

 

Jun 04, 2007 02:51 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Carol, Thanks for your comment & the link!

Hi Joan, Appreciate your comment & insights.  You're may be right in your thoughts... some of the footprints on-line may fade away...but I continue to be amazed at how the search process links so many seemingly disparate postings together.

Hi Amber, Thanks for your comment.  That must have been an interesting experience that you described in your comment.  Did you have any concerns about potential clients wondering the same thing? :)   WE are all continuing to learn so much from this on-line experience!

Jun 05, 2007 04:26 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Great post! It is frightening the power and potential for abuse that the Internet provides. I have Google Alerts for local competitors but I never thought of one for my company...that should have been a no brainer!

Craig & Amber : We have a similar situation with GloriaNilson.com (real estate) and GloriaNelson.com...definitely adult.

Jun 05, 2007 08:38 AM
#76
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Lola, I come by a 2nd time but just wanted to re-interate your post. I commented on a blog and it was picked up in my google alerts. I had to go back and re-read it, so yes folks if there is people putting in those google alerts even your comments can be picked up. This was done when I first started with AR and didn't even understand much. But, some recently posted a comment on this blog and I was sent an alert. I have google alerts set up for my name, plus different search terms I want to be notified on.

Meme Tutorial and Alphabetical Index of all Meme's on Active Rain!
By Lucky Lang (Mel Foster Company)(Lucky Lang (Mel Foster Company))
Missy Caulk: In the comments of The First (?) ActiveRain Meme. Theresa Cavanaugh: (AHEM) mememememe...sorry about the voice, but I've been MeME'd. Thesa Chambers: Kids, Fish, Photos and Babbling - My MEME. Paul Chaney: His Other Blog ...
Lucky's Blog - http://activerain.com/blogs/lucky

Jun 05, 2007 09:25 AM
Ricardo Cobos
SunTrust Mortgage - Raleigh, NC

I get a recruitment call at least once a week, the first thing I do is Google the companym then the principles. It works both ways!

Jul 05, 2007 07:39 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
Many of my clients have also Googled me, but I also Google my clients before meeting them to see if I can find out anything about them, their interests, etc., and find things in common to talk about with them.  Do you think it is a good idea to let on that you've Googled other people or not?  
Jul 08, 2007 10:27 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Missy, the more I learn about how the Internet works, the more amazed I am at how it demonstrates that we are all interconnected...like the song says..."We're in this thing together."  It's also astonishing how long the information stays around!  Thanks for taking the time to come back & comment.

Ricardo,  You're right...this search thing does work both ways.  I know that many employees will probably Google their employers prior to an interview...

Brian...Interesting question.  I don't know if it's a matter of right or wrong.  When you prepare for a presentation to a client, a lot of things go into the research process.  I wouldn't bore a client by giving them all the details of my preparation or research process.  If I was asked and had done so,...I would definitely tell them. In this business, the details do matter!

Jul 09, 2007 10:11 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

It does happen more often these days: before any meeting, you've been Googled. People experience your story online before they meet you in person. They’re deciding if they like you, trust you, and want to do business with you without ever interacting face to face. So, having a polished online presence is very important. I'd say: think before you post anything. 

Jun 09, 2016 06:17 AM