This post was submitted by Ann Murray from The Kids on the Internet.
So your blog was mentioned on Gawker, your inbox is bursting at the seams with reader praise and you’re on Technorati’s top 100. How do you translate your online success to professional success? That’s easy: Very carefully. By avoiding various pitfalls you may encounter and taking certain necessary steps outlined below, you can maximize the beneficial consequences of blogging on your career.
Report your blogging experience on your resume: You might include a section on your resume where you include your blog information or mention your blogging duties under other subsections, such as “Writing Experience” or “Online Marketing Skills.” As you describe your duties and qualifications, think about what skills you have developed while blogging. For example, you have mastered the art of Movable Type, content management systems, HTML, XML, CSS, Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, a MAC platform, RSS, SEO, social marketing, influencer outreach and viral marketing, even interviewing and reporting (notice for some bloggers your skills will be parallel to those of a traditional journalist). Be lengthy; this is not the time to be humble. You belong to an elite squadron of early influencers and the skills you have developed make you an extremely competitive candidate. Use this to your advantage. Think about everything you have ever done for your blog and turn it into a skill.
A section of your resume might look like this:
XYZ Blog November 2006—Present
Blogger/Editor
· Updating “celebrity” page daily
· Creating content utilizing original sources as well as scouting the internet for news
· Conducting interviews with high profile individuals and turning into blog posts
· Editing posts of contributing bloggersABC Blog July 2007--Present
FreelanceEvents Reporter/Blogger
· Covering film and entertainment events and posting timely blog posts
· Interviewing celebrities and personalities and turning into blog posts
· Coordinating contributors and guest bloggers
· Taking photos and developing photo copyright procedures
How much to disclose: You must strategically plan what you will and will not disclose. There are two circumstances you might find yourself in: 1)Your potential employer may or may not be technologically savvy enough to understand the blog buzz words on your resume. In this case, keep the tech-talk to a minimum and be general. You don’t want to lose your employer in a sea of keywords he or she will not understand and might not care about. 2) If you are showcasing a blog that includes personal information, you might not feel comfortable sharing it with your potential employer. Go back to your blog and clean it up; delete any incriminating posts if you need to, or do not disclose your URL.
Use your network of bloggers wisely: Keep tabs on your blogger friends and readers. Routinely exchange links and comment on interesting posts. When they open up that PR agency, or social marketing firm, be the first one to know and inquire about any openings. When your favorite magazine looses a staff writer, be the first one to send in your resume and links to one or two relevant posts (even if they haven’t yet posted a job notice). Send your resume and links to your favorite blogs and websites with a concise and professional introduction. Who knows? Arianna might just be thinking about hiring a new blogger first thing tomorrow morning. Within the internet and social networks, traditional networking is king.
Blogging is an important part of your life and has allowed you to develop an extraordinary set of skills that puts you at a distinct advantage over other applicants. Use this to your benefit, and go about it strategically and effectively. You will be in a league of your own and ultimately on the fast track to getting that big time position you never thought you could be up for.
Good luck!
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A few years ago I added a few lines on my CV regarding my online activities with a link to my main blog... My idea being that it would show that some of the stuff I wrote about me in the introduction were true and could be easily checked that way.
My so-called advisers were again the idea as they were saying that a short CV was better because employers don't read more than two pages [don't they want the best possible employees then?!] and they would ignore that extra bit...
It might have been true at times, but it definitely worked when I was applying online and uploading my CV [the link to my blog becoming live then]
Your suggestion is definitely better than the few lines I have on my CV and, as I intend to interview a few local celebrities for my main blog soon, I'll make some adjustments asap. Thanks! :-)
Posted by: Loup Dargent | April 02, 2008 at 10:38 AM
I have never considered putting my blog on my resume, but you do bring up an interesting idea. I suppose once I become more successful in my niche, it would be great to put it on. Especially if I am applying for a job in that niche.
Posted by: Vinh Le | April 04, 2008 at 04:18 AM
Ann - great job and a great post.
As a professional recruiter for an advertising agency, seeing someone's blog on their resume is a great thing, IMO. But you're absolutely right, make sure the content you send your potential employer is content that isn't controversial, too political or too embrassaing to yourself or to your potential company.
I just wrote a blog post on www.jeffmccord.org about ways people can find jobs by using Social Media and blogging is definitely one of those!
Bravo!
Posted by: Jeff McCord | April 30, 2008 at 08:49 PM