CREATING a first impression just got a whole new meaning. Back in the good old days it meant getting dressed and putting your best foot forward. A little later it meant creating a good CV. Now it means, having an interesting Orkut Profile or a blog.

Snoops all around
While you were merrily scrapping away on Orkut or baring your soul on your blog, a large number of people having been analysing your online moves. Besides the usual classmates and friends, they range from HR people looking to hire you, to possibly your boss and in one case, I know even prospective in-laws (in the scenario of arranged marriages!).

With the rich information you have provided ranging from friends, to your interests and of course your views, an online search by typing your name on Google, Orkut and other sites is de rigueur, in many cases. In the corporate world it is known as "an online background check."

Nisha Meherwan of RightConnect, a Delhi placement agency says, "We often conduct online searches of prospective interviewees for our corporate clients as a background check, especially for those in the age group of 23-30."

Illustrations: Vaibhav Shirke