This week I attended a seminar titled “Blogging Your Way to Employment” hosted by Susan Hanshaw and Dean Guadagni, co-founders of Inner Architect.
The message was simple. If you are in a job search and you are not spending at least SOME of your free time working on a blog you are just running in place with everyone else.
Here’s the deal. Your resume is a static document that represents what you SAY your expertise is and what you SAY you can do for a potential employer. Blogging, on the other hand, provides an avenue for you to express your subject matter expertise in a more “action-oriented” manner. The very process of writing posts demonstrates your adeptness on the topic, far beyond standard textbook knowledge. It allows you to give employers a taste of what you have to offer and how you think about your work; which can be significantly more compelling than a resume!
Blogging also provides a tool for those of us with a more…ahem… “eclectic” background, as we are able to demonstrate how our array of skills come together in a meaningful way. People who fall into this group often assume that employers will just be able to discern and understand the connections between all of our skill sets. This is (typically) not true. It is up to each of us to draw the lines between the dots so that potential employers get a picture of our total value. This is very challenging to accomplish on a standard resume but blogging does it by default.
Another potential benefit of blogging for employment could be access to what is commonly referred to as the “hidden job market”. Opportunities that are not posted - for whatever reason - but still need to be filled. A reader could come across your blog and realize that you have the exact blend of skills that he or she is looking for might reach out to you directly; thereby completely bypassing all of the other competition out there. How cool would that be???
I am sure that many of you reading this post already have your own blog; but for those who may not, the experts at Inner Architect are hosting two seminars on this topic, here in the San Francisco Bay Area. One in the North Bay and one in the South Bay. The workshops promise to be true “hands-on” sessions which will coach attendees on establishing your expertise and value and then creating your own free WordPress blog…..with wireless internet and all. You’ll want to sign up early in order to be properly prepared for this session.
And look! They’ve already inspired me to get back on target with my own blog. Darn! These guys are GOOD!
Valerie,
Thank you so much for recommending our workshop. You’ve done a great job in pointing out the benefits of a blog in the job search. Adding to what you’ve said, a blog is a great vehicle for pointing your career in a new direction. Although your resume might not include experience in a new role you want to take on, your articles can demonstrate that you have the expertise to be qualified.
Thanks again, Valerie. Blog on!
All my best,
Susan
Valerie,
Powerful points about using blogs to demonstrate credibility and competence, as well as making oneself more easily found.
Another tip is to comment on blogs. As long as the blog content, as well as your comments (which should include a link to your own blog or profile on LinkedIn), tie into your branding strategy, this can be an effective way to engage your audience and help them to find you.
Keep up the great work on the blog. Love it!
Irene
@Susan no problem! I think your seminar will be very valuable for those who need that extra help to get one going. Excellent additional point about bringing your job search in a new direction!
@Irene Commenting on other blogs is, indeed, a wonderful way to be “found” by others…of course that assumes that you have a blog to be found! That is what I like about the idea of the upcoming seminars, they will actually get people started. How valuable is THAT?
I have also reached out to recruiters that blog and posted comments, followed them on Twitter, even friended them on Facebook to both better understand the new tools and methods, but also become part of the hidden society they are looking to hire.
hmm. I can’t really afford $75 but I am thinking that I can’t afford not too!
I trust your endorsement Valerie!
@noelle I am glad you are going to consider the seminar. I would strongly suggest that you sign up right away as I believe there is some prep work to bring along. I believe that they will send you what you need. It is basically some thinking/writing exercises so you know how you want to present yourself. Like I said this is a hands-on seminar where you will actually walk out with a basic blog setup. Pretty cool, huh? Enjoy! and say “Hi” to Dean and Susan for me.