DEAR HARRIETTE: Recently, I applied to a company I always wanted to work for, but I didn't receive a callback. I recently ran into a recruiter, who I loosely knew through a close friend, when I was visiting the co-working space where her company is based. When I asked her why I wasn't chosen, she said she liked me, but the company's other partner passed on me due to what she called "alarming content on social media." I am very meticulous about what I post, so I wasn't sure what she could've seen that put her off. I went home and Googled my name, and I was shocked. It turns out there is another woman with my name who has been posting some questionable content on the Internet. When employers look up my name, I don't want them to see this. What can I do? I shouldn't be getting punished for this person's choices. -- Socially Scrupulous, Cleveland
DEAR SOCIALLY SCRUPULOUS: If you and this woman literally have the same name, the best thing for you to do is to change your name slightly. Add a middle initial to your profile, or make your name three full names to differentiate yourself from this other person. You can also be proactive and let potential employers know that another person has a dubious profile. Provide direct links to your personal content on your resume and in any correspondence to make it easy for them.
In the case of this company, follow up in writing to explain that you and that other woman are two different people. Provide your links, for integrity's sake.