Should you include a reference to your blog on your job resume?
That would depend on what kind of things you put up on your blog. Pictures of you and your drunk buddy spitting off the top of a skyscraper probably won’t roll over to well with potential employers. But blogs that are niche-oriented can really make you out to look like a professional in your field: especially if the niche you blog in is related to the job you are applying for.
Tara Weiss, a business writer at Forbes, found another excellent reason to maintain a blog while seeking employment in an article titled “Blogging Your Way Into A Job“.
In addition, it can help control how you come up in online searches of your name. “Recruiters will always try to find out more about you,” says Liz Lynch, author of Smart Networking. “They Google you. You want to stack the deck in your favor. If you’re competing with someone who has equal skills and experience, a blog can be the tie-breaker. Having that little bit extra can tip the scales in your favor.”
Currently my personal blog, which is named with my full name, is ranked 5th for my name as a Google search term. I also have the URL of my personal blog listed on my Facebook page. That means it probably won’t be too difficult for a prospective employer to find.
If I did some link building, I could easily rank my name first in Google. That’s a level of control that could really get me ahead of the game when I graduate and start seeking employment.
Unfortunately I tend to blog about controversial issues so I probably would not include a reference to my personal blog on my resume. Additionally, my personal blog is not exactly professional writing. Most personal blogs aren’t. And that wouldn’t be such a big problem except for the fact that the job field that I am entering — journalism — requires strong writing skills. I’m hoping potential employers that stumble upon my personal blog will realize that it was never intended to showcase professional work.
As a rule of thumb, it’s probably best to not include a reference to your personal blog in your resume unless you’re applying to be something like a lifestyle magazine writer (which would make your blog niche relevant to the job niche you are applying for). If you own a blog that is highly professional and relevant to the industry niche you are applying for, including a reference to your blog in your resume has the potential to raise eyebrows and give you that much-needed edge in a highly competitive job market.
Regular blogging about a relevant niche in your job field will show potential employers that you are tech-savy, literate and knowledgeable of your field. But more importantly, it will show that you care.
Photo credit: Olivier Charavel
Hello just thought i would tell you something.. This is twice now i’ve landed on your blog in the last 2 weeks searching for completely unrelated things. Spooky or what?
Your resume tips are useful as well as required by all working professionals, regardless of the fact whether you are an experienced worker or a fresher.
Agree with you… But experience matters these days since the job market are so competitive