Using Your Blog as a Job Search Tool

A prominent blogger recently proclaimed that any professional who considers himself to be a top performer in his field has a blog. So if you don’t have a blog, you must not be a top performer. With more and more employers buying into that statement, the establishment and maintenance of a blog is becoming as important a part of the job search process as is having a clean resume or nailing your interviews. By establishing and maintaining a blog you:

• Set yourself apart from other job seekers
• Show your expertise in a niche field
• Show you are keeping up with the times and are able to display your understanding of the happenings in your industry
• Establish yourself as a source of information, not just a name on paper
• Attract others with the same interests as you, allowing you to grow your professional network

So now that you’ve established a blog, what are the key dos and don’ts to ensure your blog will help you land that dream job?

DOs

1. Include links to your up-to-date resume in multiple formats – Word, PDF and HTML. This helps you to be found on the internet and more likely to be contacted should somebody reading your blog have a job opportunity in mind for you.

2. Include links to your social networks – Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Make sure these links are on the front page and visible to your readers. This shows your reader base that you’re tapped into the community they’re also a part which helps them develop a sense of comfort with you.

3. Let your readers inside your head and be absolutely genuine. Discuss problems and case studies related to your profession and solve them by providing a step by step approach. Discuss and comment on the latest happenings related to your profession. Talk about admirable companies and professionals related to your market.

4. Give insight into your personal life. Discuss stories and include pictures of your family, friends, pets, just make sure to keep the pictures and personal content PG (ok maybe PG-13 but definitely not R). Nowadays companies like to hire people they feel comfortable with and who has a life outside of work. The more interesting you are, the more likely an employer will want you to be a part of their team.

5. Keep it politically correct. A good rule of thumb is to keep your blog grandma or business dinner table friendly. If you wouldn’t be proud to have your grandma read it or say it at a business dinner table, better be safe and don’t post it.

6. Keep an updated blogroll. These sites should be relevant to your profession. Include a separate category for personal interests.

7. Stay active in commenting. If someone makes a comment on your blog, answer them. This way you are able to have interaction with your readers.

8. Keep a regular update schedule. If time allows post daily or every other day.

DON’Ts

1. Bad mouth, rant or complain about previous employers.

2. Promote your blog if it’s not up to date.

3. Discuss religion, politics or sex – follow all dinner table rules.

4. Post inappropriate photos.

5. Make it look too corporate with ads. You’re not a sports star you don’t need a sponsor .

6. Discuss issues specific to your current employer. Most employers wouldn’t like it.

7. Ramble on in your posts – keep them short, sweet and to the point.