by Sue Leo Fitzgerald
Recently, I heard Deborah Mourey speak to a group of eager bloggers about marketing small business by creating a blog. (Check out her blog for good career, job search and marketing tips). It reinforced for me how easy blogging can be to help in a job search. There are virtually no entry barriers to starting a blog. You can get up and running in a few minutes using a template on WordPress.com or Blogger.com. If you have one of them host your site, your only investment is the time it takes to craft your messages. While you’re unemployed, you have down time, so blogging like journaling, can help you maintain focus.
Before you start, think about who you are, what you really want, and what others need that you can help them get. (Sounds like other forms of networking, right?) Blogging done well will subtly communicate your value to your followers without hitting them over the head with marketing prose. One of my biggest learnings? A blog isn’t the place to market you. It’s the place to share shamelessly. It’s about making connections, building community and encouraging dialog —not selling! As a job search strategy, your blog gives you exposure to potential employers and blog followers who might be influential in hiring decisions. Getting followers can be easier than you think if you:
- Decide upfront what “voice” your blog will have. Will it be informational (news-related), editorial (with commentary), personal or professional?
- Offer content or connections that are relevant to what your readers need.
- Think first – write second. Ask yourself, “Is this a comment I want to share with the world? Is it likely to impact whether or not I get hired at a target company? Controversial topics that stimulate opposing views or discussing can work to your advantage. However, showing a negative attitude, whining about a lengthy job search or using questionable language won’t endear you employers. If your blog is personal in nature, think about who might see it.
- Learn the technical ropes. Take blogging tutorials. Learn how to use tags and links effectively so that your site can be found more easily on search engines. Follow and comment on other blogs. Visit job search blogs and resources. Remember to link your blog to your professional online profile.
Blogging isn’t likely to get you hired tomorrow. But, as a job search strategy, it’s like building a portfolio of work or meeting new colleagues. It takes a while to accumulate and plant enough seeds for something great to grow. Virtually anyone can “see” you with a click on your first post! For employers and influencers to learn how you “think,” post often. Offer fun, clear, “energizing” content that makes them want to return or contact you.
