10 ways blogging can help you get a job

Posted by Ben on July 01, 2009 | Permalink | Hits: 1378 

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I've seen plenty of news stories where bloggers have been shown as people who say too much and ultimately lose their jobs because of it. This post is much more positive - I'd like to look at how blogging can help you to get a job. It's particularly relevant to me as I've been looking for work recently. I'll be writing more about that in a future post over at benbarden.com. Anyway, onto the list.

1. A link for your portfolio.

As with several of the points in this post, this is only going to be relevant to certain roles, such as web design or development. Many of these roles will ask for examples of previous work. It's always better to include links that go further than "this is the last full-time job I did".

If you're not looking for jobs in web design or development, keep in mind that your employer may be able to find your blog anyway. It's better to avoid posting anything that could harm your reputation than try and hide your blog from certain people.

2. Community involvement.

Are you someone who looks for ways to improve things? Do you help other bloggers with technical queries or general tips for how to build a better blog? Have you set up a group of like-minded bloggers or arranged any kind of events?

Depending on the role you're going for, networking with other bloggers shows you care about others, and you work well in a team. It's not a substitute for hands-on experience within the industry you're looking for jobs in, but it is a good backup if you don't have as much experience as you'd like.

3. Writing skills.

Posting on your blog will give potential employers a good idea of how you write. Therefore, accurate spelling and grammar is very important. Take the time to proof-read your posts, and edit them if you find any errors after a post is published. Most jobs look for strong writing skills, and blogging is actually a really good way to practise.

4. Some jobs want web-savvy, not just tech-savvy.

Employers have asked for basic PC skills for quite some time now. In fact, some jobs don't even mention this anymore, and instead assume you will already have the skills you need to get started.

Now, some jobs are starting to put the focus on web skills, not just PC skills. Companies are becoming much more interested in blogging, web advertising, and Twitter. If you possess some knowledge in these areas, it can really help your application.

5. Managing multiple priorities.

We all have things that need doing. Cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, looking after the family, car maintenance, house repairs... all the usual stuff that goes on when you're not at work.

For many people, having time to blog is a good reflection on your ability to manage multiple priorities. It gets you into a routine. If you run multiple blogs, even better.

6. Emerging as an authority.

If you build a blog that helps you to emerge as an authority on an area you'd like to work in, people will start to see that you're out there, and possibly approach you.

I've been approached many times for advice, freelance projects and general feedback. Sometimes it's as simple as a supportive comment, in other cases I've been presented with suggestions or contributions that will ultimately benefit my projects and the people who use them.

If I wanted to be a full-time freelancer, then I'd work harder to pursue leads. Even without actively asking people to give me coding projects, I do get small coding jobs simply by continuing to blog. Putting yourself out there is a good thing.

7. References.

If you've ever helped another blogger or worked with them on something, even if it's just a small volunteer project (rather than a big commercial job), they might be willing to give you a reference. Don't expect it - but if it's someone who could potentially help you with a job application, do ask.

References don't just come from the people you've sat next to at work. Currently, I have three very strong references who can each provide good feedback, but most importantly, they each have a very different perspective. In my view, references are best when each person can comment on a different aspect of your career, your personality, and how you work.

8. It's an interest.

I'm not keen on listing my interests on a job application, but people do ask. Think of what happens if you list your interests as drinking, pubbing, clubbing... would you want that person to work for you? Would they roll in late every Monday morning?

Being able to list interests that are actually interesting can be a great talking point - and it may be a good icebreaker for interviews. Saying you watch TV and not much else isn't going to set the pulses racing. But saying you actively update a blog about (insert your choice of topic here) shows you care enough to blog in the first place, and could generate some interest from an interviewer. Making a solid connection is important - you want to be memorable, not forgettable.

9. It might be a blogging job!

Well yes - if you're going for a blogging job, previous experience as a blogger should help. But before you say "I don't want to make money from my blog", think of how many companies have blogs now. Honestly, I couldn't give you a figure, but business blogging seems to be a lot more common than it used to be. Someone has to update that blog. What if you could do it, either as your main responsibility or as part of a larger job?

10. It shows that you have knowledge in what you do.

We've already looked at emerging as an authority on a topic. If you blog about the kind of work you do, as I do, then it doesn't just help you to get noticed - it confirms that you know your stuff. You're not just someone who says they have however many years experience in something. You're showing that you have a deep understanding and appreciation of your career. This is what pushes you from being a good candidate to a great candidate - and who knows, it might land you a great job with a great salary.

What do you think?

Comments on 10 ways blogging can help you get a job

2

Ben | July 02, 2009 | 180 comments

Thanks Vince!

6

Ben | July 07, 2009 | 180 comments

Thanks guys. :)

9

Ben | July 11, 2009 | 180 comments

Michael - that hasn't happened to me, but agencies and interviewers have generally been quite interested in my blogs.

Carla - it all depends on the job. Employers are not necessarily going to demand that you must not have a blog (though some might). It's worth finding out in the interview how the company feels about blogs in general. It's better to be up front than try and hide things that might come up later. If there's something online you'd rather a potential employer didn't see, it's up to you whether you remove it, but what would you do if they found it?

11

Ben | July 11, 2009 | 180 comments

I was looking at it from the following angle: how would you explain it? Either way, being up front is the key. You won't know how it will be handled unless you bring it up. I'd rather get these things out in the open than hope they don't come up later. Think of it this way - what if everything you say online could be linked back to you? Would that change what you write?

13

Ben | July 11, 2009 | 180 comments

I'm not sure if it's illegal to ask if someone has a blog. If the company has a "no blogs" policy (some do) and they find that you have a blog, there may be a problem. I think it is a good idea to ask about these things before they become a problem.

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Ben | August 18, 2009 | 180 comments

Rebecca - great points. There are a few reasons why blogging might not help you to get a job, I guess - it's all about how aware you are of people who might be reading your blog. Always assume the person you're writing about is reading your comments...