A good blog can help you show off your skills, network effectively and get the job offers you want. It’s a great way to grow and showcase your personal brand. Whether you already have a blog or are looking to start one, we’ve compiled some tips for incorporating your blog into your job search.
Benefits of Using a Blog in Your Job Search
- Meet more people. Blogging is really a social activity. Use your site to meet new people through techniques like guest blogging, interviews, and exchanging links. Ask your current readers to introduce you to their friends.
- Cultivate long term relationships. It’s common for people to spend a year or more looking for a new job these days. A blog makes it easy to stay in touch over a prolonged period.
- Help others. Networking is more likely to be enjoyable and productive if you keep it focused on serving others. Your blog is a way to help people find solutions to challenges you’ve both experienced and attract job offers from people who are looking for a candidate like you.
- Expand your knowledge. You’ll learn valuable information while you’re researching and writing blog posts. It’s a great way to stay up to date in your chosen field even if you’re between jobs or looking for a position that better matches your long term goals.
- Create a portfolio. Think of your blog as a showcase. Potential employers can get to know you through the content you produce. Try turning your best posts into eBooks, DVDs or YouTube videos.
- Operate within your budget. If you’re low on funds, it’s okay to start out small. Set up a free site on platforms like Blogger or WordPress.
Effective Strategies
- Post regularly. The two top reasons readers give for unsubscribing from a blog is posting too seldom or posting too frequently. Keep your blog fresh but be prudent with more intrusive communications like mass email blasts.
- Stick to your topic. Identify your subject area at the start so you consistently deliver what your readers are expecting. You can always start a separate blog for unrelated interests.
- Participate in forums, social bookmarking and social media sites. Become a regular on sites like Twitter, Reddit, or forums on topics related to your blog. You can search out people who you want to meet and offer them helpful information.
- Exchange guest posts and comments. Hook up with other popular bloggers in your field. If you write about transportation issues in your metropolitan area, make reciprocal arrangements to contribute to other local blogs that focus on individual neighborhoods.
- Get sticky. Encourage your readers to keep coming back. Thank people for their comments and answer their questions. Create a list of your most popular posts so new visitors are encouraged to read more.
- Stimulate polite debate. One way to get positive attention is to take a bold stance when you’ve got the facts to back you up. Write a thoughtful post about proposed legislation that is being hotly debated in your industry. Invite an article from another expert who takes the opposing position.
- Strike the right balance. As a general rule, most successful bloggers aim for at least 70 percent substantive and original content on their site. You can use the remainder to inject your unique personality and humor and sprinkle in links and other items that help build relationships.
In a competitive job market, it’s important to take advantage of every resource available to you. High quality content and strategic networking will make you and your blog stand out in a crowded field and your personal brand shine.
If you want more secrets to building a successful career brand, you can:
Join Successfully Ever After an online course designed to help you create a personal brand designed with career success in mind within 30 days.
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and watch quick tips to help your job search or make yourself promotable.
Join my private Successfully Ever After Facebook Group for trainings and information designed for success-seekers.
Check out my audio books: Get Noticed, Get Hired or When In Doubt, Delete It!
