We’ve talked about blogging before in previous posts, specifically how a blog can further a business or HR department. But how can blogging be used as a hiring resource?
Running a blog that is career-oriented can help you stand out against your peers. Whether you’re in-between jobs or have been working in the same career field for years, starting a professional blog has its benefits.
Here are a few benefits to starting a career-oriented blog:
Networking: When you are in charge of a blog that specializes in a specific field, you will meet like-minded individuals who will seek you out for questions, for potential blog subject ideas, and quite possibly, job opportunities.
Show off your skills: The beauty of a blog is that you can run it however you choose to. If you are a good writer, make sure your blogs show that. If you gave a presentation at a conference last week, post it. Take part in the discussions that your blog generates, and make sure you back up your statements.
A difficult part of blogging is building your readership, but an established blog shows that you know how to reach people and stay connected to them, a crucial skill for any employee to have.
Know your field: Having a blog that is career-oriented is a great way to stay up-to-date with the happenings in your field. When you are writing a blog post at least one time a week (maybe more, depending on your field), you have no choice but to stay current.
Stand out to future employers: Employers read multiple resumes, and it can be hard to find a way to stand out against the rest of your competitors. If you have a blog that shows your strengths and your personality, you’ll stand out against the typical paper resume.
As with anything, there are mixed feelings on using a blog as a hiring resource. It comes down to you, your career, and whether or not you think you could keep your professional blog going.
Are you interested in starting a blog, but aren’t sure where to start? Victoria Michelson shares her story and gives some good insights in an article on Idealist Careers.
Do you think blogging could help you in your career? Have you tried blogging before to network? Let us know what you think via the contact page of our site, or on Twitter or LinkedIn. We’d love to hear from you.
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photo credit: Daniel E Lee via photopin cc