Posted by Mark in 
Today there are very few people that are active on the web and don’t have a blog. Although many people use personal diaries that hide under their pillows, an online diary (blog) has gained popularity in recent years. The popularity and the hype surrounding the notion that every one should have an existence on the web, at least in the form of a blog is quite justified. Blogging gives the writer and other users a platform to build a community which will eventually help in many facets of life including job hunt.
Today I want to focus on how blogging can directly help when it comes to landing a dream job. Whether you are looking for a job after a layoff or simply looking for an alternative way to earn a little extra, I hope these tips will come in handy.
Helps You Reach a Certain Group of People
Most blogs focus on a specific niche. If you are a web designer your blog most likely will highlight posts related to web designing. Your readers and visitors that have been following your content know that you are good at what you do. Besides, your blog serves as a portfolio for you work. Even if your blog isn’t niche specific and is just an online journal where you share your day to day life, it still reaches a certain demographics that might be interested in what you do.
Blog Is Your Own Media
You get to reach out and let others know whether or not you are available for work. Although most people say you need to participate on different social media platforms, most people fail to realize that your very own blog is the most effective platform. Other social media platforms are a supplement to your blog to utilize and grow your network of potential employers, referrers and friends.
Anyone Can Use Blog as a Job Search Tool
One thing that each and every individual needs to realize is that you don’t have to have a certain skill to have a blog or be approached by potential employer. For example, a truck driver may think that a blog doesn’t really serve his skill. Think again. There are many people who drive trucks for a living and many that are planning to choose this as their work. What if your blog talked about different routes that are easier for drivers to make it to a destination quicker? Your truck driving blog could give tips to people who might be looking to learn about truck driving ( take a look at truck driving blog). If you share enough helpful content and tips to the truck driving community, you can stand out not just among the people wanting to learn but among ones that are looking for instructors at truck driving schools. You get the idea.
Helps You Build a Long Term Relationship
The other crucial aspect of blogging is that you get to build a personal relationship with your readers. Among these readers might be someone waiting to offer a job based on your skill. Writer, web designer, social media strategist or a truck driver, if you have been providing value to a certain group of people there will certainly be an interest when a position relating to that skill needs to be filled. The readers of your blog will know you personally over time. And most people are comfortable hiring someone with whom they have built relationship. This is when your blog becomes of utmost importance. You build your network and as your network grows the possibility of someone hiring you grows with it.
Not Having a Blog Is Not an Option Anymore
Your blog is your home online and a way for potential employers to peek into your skills. A resume is important but a blog that shares your experience and skill in depth isn’t something that can be neglected either. Even if you have a job at the moment I would recommend you start a blog either for fun or with business mindset.
I can vouch personally that if you provide helpful content that appeals to a certain crowd you will find an opportunity knocking on your door. It might not be as soon as you would like but it will happen. And if you aren’t really looking to land a full time job through your blogging efforts, it can certainly give you exposure to start something as a freelancer. And in today’s economy we can’t afford not to earn a little extra on the side.
Here’s a quick formula to show you how exactly a blog can help you in finding opportunities,
Blog = Network + Target Audience (potential employers) + Exposure = Job Opportunities
Those are some of the things that I personally think makes blogs one of the best job search tool. Please take a moment and share your thoughts with the rest of us. Your comments and suggestions are very much appreciated.
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While blogging isn’t necessarily good for every professional out there, it is VERY good for some. Good advice, thank you!
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[...] 5 Reasons a Blog is a Must for Job Hunters [...]
Personally, I think you are spot on. If nothing else a blog provides a way to showcase beyond the portfolio. In most professions I would say that a blog is going to be able to speak in support of a resume. Display how the individual is applying their education and skills. I very much appreciate this article and hope to hear posts that dive deeper into the subject. Thanks!
[...] I don’t think I can say anything to add to this article so I’m just going to simply post it: http://applicant.com/5-reasons-a-blog-is-a-must-for-job-hunters/1. Hopefully having this blog is helping rather than hurting [...]
I do not totally agree with your blog post. In actuality, for some having a blog is a help in the job search but in just as many cases (and perhaps more) a blog could hurt more than help.
If you have a specific topic that you do have expertise to share, then a blog certainly can help. Marketing it appropriately via LinkedIn, Facebook, etc can open the eyes of some prospective employers.
But what if you don’t have anything to add to a conversation? If you’re a software developer writing about the next move to be released instead of the next great thing in technology, than your blog is of no help to you.
if you are going to write a blog as utilize it as part of your job search, make sure the topics written are pertinent to your skills and chosen profession, and then make sure grammar, spelling, etc are all spot on. Otherwise, you might just be costing yourself a job opportunity.
So, how does one start a blog? Instructions? Steps? Anything will be helpful…thanks!
I agree with u that “Blogging gives the writer and other users a platform to build a community which will eventually help in many facets of life including job hunt”
Cool I am not professional blogger I’m just high school graduate and never study in college I don’t know where I got my skills in blogging I finish high school in small and remote town province without computer and there you go I learned blog by my own and earned thousands of dollars online. Now I don’t have job but I survive my daily needs and my monthly bills in simply blogging. If you have a time guys take time to visit my blog just hit my name.
very good, very good
Very true. I need to get back to working on my blog.
hi,
it’s a good idea.
BLOGS ARE THE STYLE STATEMENT FOR TODAY’S HUMAN BEING.
I NEED TO WORK ON ALL THIS NOW. BLOGS WILL CREATE MY COMMUNITY. JOBS APART, YES MY FRIENDS MAY HAVE USE FOR MY TALENT, SINCERITY AND HONESTY. VIKRAM
[...] ourselves online. During my searches I stumbled upon a great resource by the job seeking blog, Applicant, who has compiled a list of five compelling reasons why a blog is a must for job [...]
Blogging gives the writer and other users a platform to build a community which will eventually help in many facets of life including job hunt. Well, I agree to this. I have been working as a teacher for almost 15 years, but before I become one I had to pass several exams, board exams etc. And before I could get the job I have to knock at the doors of different schools and wait for their approval. It’s so stressful. And yet I only get such minimal pay for it, but with blogging, I am not expert on it, but here I am enjoying and at the same time earning a lot.
I would agree having a blog opens you up to many opportunities. Thanks for sharing!
I totally agree with this, especially about a blog being your chance to build long-term relationships with your clients, customers, and anyone else. One of my close friends is a realtor, and despite sales being pretty bad in almost every city, he’s continued to bring in stable business because of his blog. It’s responsible for something like 75% of his business now, all because he put the time into building REAL relationships with it.
The five reasons I think depends on what your job you are seeking. But this article is good to bear in mind.
It’s safe to say that each one of us knows someone who has been let go from their job. Although the government is planning on revamping the job space this year, all we can do is wait and see how it all goes. Meanwhile, people who have been laid off aren’t sitting quietly at home filling out resumes and networking on social sites. They are hitting the streets and they are hitting it hard.
That’s why it is the goal of Trucking Jobs to give job opportunities to many people. To connect drivers with truck driving jobs that give them more of what they’re looking for; more time at home, more miles on the road, more money in their pockets. Take the steps to put yourself in a better truck job by browsing the listings available there. When you find a truck job posting that you’re interested in, simply complete the easy and secure online application for free! One application goes to as many truck job postings as they want to apply to.
the driving schools in our area are quite good in giving basic driving lessons.,,
if you really need to become expert in driving, your really need to enroll in a driving school .-’
If you have landed your dream job with the help of Monster.com, here’s a wonderful opportunity for you to tell everyone of your experience and get a chance to win a prize just for sharing your success story. The known top Job Search Engine on the web, Monster.com, came out with a press release last month [...] Related posts:Watch Out Job Seekers, Your Identity Is In Jeopardy10 Must Follow Twitter Lists For Job Seekers7 Must Read SlideShare Presentations For Job Seekers
One thing I would add is that a blog is the best way to show you are an expert in your field and you can add value. Two things employers are desperate for.
Great article,
Nik Lemmens