I will be graduating this semester from journalism school and am concerned about how information about me on the Internet will affect my chances of getting a good job or internship.
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In a previous incarnation, I was a member of an organization whose political aims put them in a controversial and marginal position within mainstream society. As a member of this organization, I wrote an article that no longer reflects what I believe (whether it ever did is another story). This article, though nearly 10 years old, is readily found on the Internet, and it's pretty clear that the author is me, due to a small bio included at the end.
I would no longer like to be attached to this article or the organization in such a public way. Is there any way I can have this article taken off of the group's Web site, or have it no longer come up with my name attached?
I am concerned that if potential employers conduct a rudimentary search on my name and find this article, I'll lose the chance to land a great job. I have been told that establishing my own Web site to which I can direct those interested would be the best way around this problem. But after some thought, I still think I would feel much better if I simply didn't have to worry about this article any more. If I were to contact the organization directly, what would be a good way of stating my needs?
Thank you,
Please do not use my first or last name
I think I found the piece you're talking about. I don't think you need to worry.
Your concerns, though, remind all of us that everything we do online -- even e-mail, can live forever.
Although I think most editors will miss that piece and that you can easily explain it, you might still want the people who operate that Web site to take the posting down. Write, "I am respectfully asking that you take my article (state the URL) off your Web site. I am about to begin a job search and am concerned that some prospective employers will not be favorable toward me if they see that posting. I believe it has been up long enough to serve your readers and am concerned that it might now be a detriment to me, so please remove it. Thank you."
If they refuse, or if it still lives in other databases, I think you'll still be OK.
Coming Friday: This journalist has been working with a recruiter to get into a particular paper, but now that recruiter has taken a buyout. The job seeker wonders whether he is back to square one.
