3. Monitor your online reputation As mentioned above, companies are checking up on people before they even invite them for an interview, and given young job seekers' propensity for using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, it's quite possible today's college grads will be under even more scrutiny. Sure, you know what you and your friends have posted about you, but is it possible that others have posted unpleasant photos or information - true or not- about you online? One of the easiest ways to monitor your reputation is by setting up Google Alerts that will inform you of anything that has appeared about you online. Just go to www.Google.com/Alerts and set up a free alert of your name and any organizations or activities that you were heavily involved in while at college (if relevant). Whenever anything appears online that you or someone else has posted about you, an email will be sent to you with a link to the online occurrence. "Ultimately, the best way to manage your online reputation is by generating positive search results through your online posts and profiles that will rank as highly as possible on any list of search results," says Kuzmeski. "But by monitoring these search results closely, you can get out in front of any problems that might arise from something negative someone else has said about you online. That way, at least you'll be prepared with an explanation. Bottom line, protect your most important assets - your personal brand and online reputation."