With graduation season closing in, we have presented commentary on the graduate’s Social Media and Credit Footprints, long-lasting impressions that can make an impact on a person’s reputation particularly in the working world. If you are graduating, or know someone who is about to take that walk to accept academic accolades, extend to them this checklist for peace-of-mind and security when entering the commercial sector:

• More organizations are now using social media as a way to discover and hire new interns and employees. Check your social media profiles before starting a job search. When reviewing your Social Media footprint, remove:
  • Incriminating pictures, videos, and unfavorable comments posted on Facebook, blogs, Twitter, and other social networks.
  • Personal details and opinions about friends, politics, or other topics that could be misinterpreted if taken out of context.
  • Unfavorable opinions about a job interview that could get back to a potential employer.
• Take an objective look at your social media profile or have your parent or friends review it before reaching out to prospective employers.
  • Ask yourself if you are comfortable sharing your social media profile, as it exists today.
  • Conduct a thorough search of your online identity by googling your name
  • Review all social networks you are are enrolled in for personal references. Also check inactive accounts that may not have been cancelled.
  • Before sharing any personally identifiable information (PII) with any vendors, online or in the Real World, ask three important questions:
    1. Who needs to know?
    2. Why do they need to know it?
    3. How is this information being protected?

• Credit cards can be deceptively easy to use, particularly when virtually anything can be purchased with them. According to United College Marketing Services, on average, college students carry 2.8 credit cards with a balance of $885. How you manage credit today will impact you now and in the future. Consider:
  • Pay credit card bills on time, doing so will help you build a strong credit history. Missing just one payment or simply paying a bill a few days late can have a significantly negative impact on credit. Pay your credit cards on time and completely, if possible. Use credit cards wisely by paying off balances each month, charging only what is necessary.
  • Credit scores will impact what interest rate you receive on new loans, your ability to rent an apartment and to secure utilities including phone, electric, and gas, as well as undergoing employment background screening.
  • Review all three credit reports from the major Credit Reporting Agencies (CRA), available for free (one time per year) at www.annualcreditreport.com.
  • Enroll in credit and public record monitoring services so you can be alerted to changes to credit reports and to non-credit information (utilities, cell phones, etc.), and respond quickly to potentially fraudulent transactions. For more information visit:
    • Credit.com
    • IdentityGuard.com
    • ITACSentinel.com

A resume personifies a person’s experience and achievements based on their own perception. Credit profiles and public information convey a much more pragmatic story, and can either positively or negatively impact a person’s reputation. As mentioned in Part I, with education comes vigilance and with vigilance comes empowerment. It is essential, particularly in this Digital Age in which we live, thrive, and conduct commerce, to protect our unique identities and improve upon credit. We are sharing more and more information online, and while — once upon a time — it was easy to dismiss it as “Who will find it online?”, the rise of Social Media and the ease of information gathering via smartphones and iPads have now made personal information protection part of our daily lives.

Proactively take control of your credit and personal identity. It is never too early to take control of your credit and Social Media presence.

Related posts:

1. Footprints to a College Graduate’s Social Media Profile (Part I)
2. Footprints to a College Graduate’s Credit Profile (Part II)
3. Why Identity Protection for Kids Matters
4. The IDGuardian Podcast: Episode #006 — Protecting Your Identity While Traveling
5. Identity Fraud Fact: Little Guy is Big Target