Can a personal blog aide your job search?

Social media is a great way to get you noticed for countless prospects and careers. There’s LinkedIn, where you can list all your skills, publications and endorsements. Twitter allows access to industry thought leaders, and a great way to keep up to date with current trends in your industry.

But, can a personal blog aide your job search too? Of course it can…you just need to do it right!

Where do I start with a blog? 

There are many free blogging tools that are easy to set up, like Wordpress or Google’s Blogger. Pick a platform that you are comfortable using, and one that your desired audience will use and engage with. You’ll need a plan of action - here’s what you need to consider before you post:

• You need to work out how often you can post. You don’t want a slow, inactive blog but don’t let it overtake the job search either. Plan it alongside your job search activities, and you’ll soon have a comfortable calendar of tasks.
• What topics do you want to write about? Plan what each post will be about, so the content is coherent and flowing.
• Your audience is key. You want to get noticed for new opportunities, so write with an employer in mind. However, vary the content as much as possible. Write with the community as a whole in mind, so that you also have statistics and engagements to impress a potential employer. How would they connect with your topics? What will your content say about your place in the industry?
• Have all your information available to the blogs readers: Name, contact details, CV and links to your social media pages. You’re looking for opportunities, so don’t forget to let employers find you. It also makes networking so much more straightforward; someone can invite you to an event, or can introduce you to the right people to add weight to your career.

Why a blog is good for your career

As mentioned, a blog is a great tool for personal branding. It offers more than just a snapshot of where your skills and experience have taken you so far. Here are some great positives behind having a great blog:

• Motivation – Blogging will keep you motivated to do your best in everything job search related. You have a new platform with which to show off writing skills, an important aspect in any job application.
• Initiative – You are taking matters into your own hands, keeping busy and up to date. An employer would love this proactivity in any workplace, so keep it up.
• Opinions – Everyone has them, so don’t be afraid to share yours when it comes to your industry. It shows passion and genuine interest in what you are doing (or want to do.) A blog lets you speak with your own voice, which is a refreshing change from similar CV’sand LinkedIn profiles. Just make sure your posts are backed up with facts to show your train of thought is accurate and educated.
• Versatility – The beauty of a blog is that it doesn’t have to be walls of text, but an outlet for all kinds of creativity. Videos, infographics and images will enhance the readability and show your creative side at the same time.
• Wider outreach – You can share all your blog posts on social media, and utilise the LinkedIn publications tool. You can generate industry contacts to provide extra weight to your applications by sharing your content. If it’s unique and creative, it should definitely get shared by the very people you are targeting.

It’s important to note that blogs are great for any point in your career. Whether you are searching for a new opportunity, or happy where you are, a blog still aides career development and establishes you a place in your industry.

Can't wait to read more personal branding & job search tips?

Bet you're excited to hear about our career advice hub then, eh? :)