Welcome to the blogosphere, land of the bloggers. A
blogosphere is an interconnected community of bloggers.
Bloggers write articles and post them on their blog or they
comment on, or contribute to blogs written and posted by
others.
So what is a blog? The word blog is short for Web log. It is
a Web page that serves as a platform for sharing and receiving
information. It can be public or private. It can be
personal or corporate. A blog has no boundaries. You
can write about anything you like. However, you should not select a
topic that no one is interested in reading; that would defeat the
purpose of blogging.
Although it started out slow, blogging is now a very popular form
of new media. Micro-blogging, a type of blogging featuring
very short posts, is also a growing trend. Twitter is an example of
a social networking and micro-blogging service.
How job seekers use blogs:
- Showcase your expertise: Write about a particular industry,
skill or position that you are very knowledgeable of. You
might even create a “how to” blog regarding a hobby like
woodworking or gardening. Make sure the topic is relevant in
some way to your career goals. This is your chance to
showcase your knowledge.
- Brand yourself: Your brand is a reflection of your image and
your reputation. By listing your blog on your resume, cover
letter, business card, etc., you can gain credibility with
prospective employers. Your name will have meaning behind
it.
- Network: As you comment on blogs and others contribute to your
blog, you will eventually create a network of likeminded
individuals who may be able to assist you in your job search.
- Make money: Advertising is quite common on blogs and a good
revenue source for some. One option for those starting out
might be a Pay Per Click (PPC) arrangement with companies like
Google AdWords. With PPC advertisements you are paid only when
visitors click the advertiser’s banner on your page. What do you
have to lose?
How to start your own blog:
There are a number of free blog providers to select from. Some
of the most popular ones are
www.Blogger.com, and
www.WordPress.com. Do
your homework and make sure you select the right one for adequately
meeting your needs.
How to promote your blog:
- List blog on your job search materials
- Contribute to related blogs
- Use social networks like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to
launch and continue to promote your blog.
Warning:
Inappropriate blogs can be harmful to your job search. If
your blog is public, anyone can see it including potential
employers or recruiters. Do not write something that could be
viewed as offensive, inappropriate or unprofessional. If you want
to write about personal things then you should create a private
blog, password protected and available only to family and friends
or whoever you invite to participate. You should also avoid sharing
confidential information from a former or current employer. This
could result in getting fired or not getting hired. Prospective
employers might question your loyalty and ethics.
