As a recent Miami Herald article explains: need a job? Clean up your Facebook.

The article, posted Tuesday notes, “In their efforts to vet applicants, some companies and government agencies are going beyond merely glancing at person’s social networking profiles and instead asking to log in as the user to have a look around.”  Now more than ever, it’s become increasingly important to keep your online persona squeaky clean— your job could literally depend on it.

And to even further drive the point home, the article explains that some companies such as Sears are using third party applications to get this access if you won’t hand it over yourself.

Here’s a quick check-list to remember how to be appropriate and properly brand yourself online:

1. If someone at work, notably a superior, “friends” you, they are probably not looking to actually be friends with you. Don’t feel shy about taking precautions and limiting your Facebook friendship. Don’t give your co-worker reason to have dirt on you.
2. Never have a picture of yourself drinking online. Even if you’re of age, it sends a poor message across.
3. Set a Google Alert for yourself so you can maintain control over your online image.
4. Remember that online tools can be your friend (as well as your foe). Use them as resources to enhance your knowledge and relationships.

Though the online sphere may be scary, if you know how to protect yourself, it can serve as a marketable skill that may just land you that job after all.