You’ve probably heard it all before – building an online presence is essential for your job search. Not only can you connect with other professionals working in your field of work, expanding your professional network; but by having a voice across social media you can get yourself known within your desired industry and build a bit of status for yourself. Your efforts don’t need to be limited to social media channels, however, and starting up a blog could be a great way to get one up on your competition.
Nearly anyone can set up a Twitter profile and follow a few relevant accounts, but by putting the time into creating a blog that shares your insights and knowledge, you prove that you have ambition and are passionate about working in the industry.
Here are a few reasons why blogging can help you to find a job.
1) It can set you apart from other job seekers.
A lot of job seekers do the bare minimum in their job hunt and then wonder why they don’t have loads of job offers flying in. By taking the time to start up a blog and writing about relevant topics within your industry you show initiative and prove that you are a go-getter and are serious about building a career within the sector.
2) You can showcase your knowledge.
Employers want to hire people who know what they are doing or at least show potential. By writing a blog that showcases your expertise in a certain area, you can demonstrate to prospective employers that you have the required knowledge and career goals for a job within their company. If there is a particular role or company you are interested in, you can tailor your blog posts so that it demonstrates your suitability for the position.
3) You can use it to build a personal brand.
Along with your social media accounts, CV, and cover letter, employers may also wish to check out your blog when screening you for a role, so you want it to depict you in the best light possible. You are in control of how you would like to present yourself, so put thought into the topics you write about and the style you use. Injecting a bit of personality into your blog posts can give employers an insight into the kind of person you are, but try to keep it professional. By sharing your blog across social media, etc. you can expand your audience and build a name for yourself in the industry.
4) You can use your blog to network.
The aim of your blog should be to create conversation. By encouraging engagement on your blog posts, you can get to know other industry professionals and build an online network. A large, dedicated following on your blog will reflect positively on your level of expertise and employers like to hire individuals who are well connected.
5) You can use it to make money.
In the meanwhile why not make a bit of extra dough during your job hunt? A lot of bloggers offer advertising on their blogs and can earn money by placing ads on their websites. Companies such as Google AdWords offer PPC (pay-per-click) arrangements, where the blogger can earn each time the banner ad is clicked.
