Your Blog Could Come Back and Bite You
I’ve read in several different places recently, how many prospective employers may partially base their decision on hiring you - based on your blog. The blog is the new resume? That could be good or bad.
Apparently, some prospective employers go as far as to “google” your name and see what turns up. I’m sure that would be bad news for a lot of folks. On the other hand, it could be a very positive thing. Just think, your blog could be like an ongoing resume, keeping up with your accomplishments in real time. Adam Darowski says:
Blogging is the perfect way for a candidate to give an employer a more detailed sales pitch—to show they can “talk the talk” (as opposed to just fill a resume with buzzwords). I can’t think of a reason for any serious tech professional to not have a blog. Not only does it serve as an excellent notebook for storing ideas and links, but it can come in handy in a job hunt where what interviewers really want to just know what, professionally (and somewhat personally), engages you on a day to day basis.
According to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, corporate recruiters have been doing this for quite a while. The article goes on to suggest that recruiters not only focus on industry related content, but they also check the candidates’ blogs about “noncareer-related topics for evidence of writing skills and clues to how rounded they are”.
It makes sense to me……. and it’s only been a matter of time in our high-tech society. If you needed a good reason to take your blog more serious, this could be it. If you were in the market for a job, could your web presence help you in the process, or would it come back and bite you?
April 19th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
For employers, this also greatly reduces the risk of making a good hire. Not only do you see work potential employees have done, you know what their process was in producing it.
Honestly, if I have to meet someone that I don’t know, I get frustrated when they don’t have a blog. SXSW was amazing in the respect that people who have never met could pick up conversations like old friends, through reading each others’ blogs.
April 19th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
That’s a good point. I would assume this method of hiring is probably more prevalent in the internet / tech industries, however I can envision it becoming much more mainstream in the coming years.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:02 pm
“For employers, this also greatly reduces the risk of making a good hire. Not only do you see work potential employees have done, you know what their process was in producing it.”
After thinking about this a little more, I completely agree, assuming that the blog reflects something about their work. However, some people have blogs about things such as who they had dinner with, and where they’re going on vacation, etc. Not sure if that could help employers or not……
April 19th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
ummm, yeah my boss at my last job, googled my name, and found my 2 blogs, he didn’t take time to read, except my about page (though maybe he would’ve learn some useful stuff, if he read some of the posts)
April 19th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
[...] Finally remember what happens online it fairly permanent and can be found in most search engines by a half way decent recruiter or employer. Who can forget last year’s Miss Universe publicity. There is lots more discussion on this topic. [...]
April 20th, 2007 at 9:29 am
[...] Baggett from Antbag had a great post soon after. It makes sense to me……. and it’s only been a matter of time in our high-tech [...]
April 20th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
yeah, Jonathan, I don’t know if any of my superiors have ever “googled” me or not, but I wouldn’t be surprised or alarmed by it either way.
April 23rd, 2007 at 9:40 am
I believe I got my current job working for a State Rep. because I am a blogger. It’s important to note that my boss is also a blogger.
April 23rd, 2007 at 11:16 am
Well, that proves that it can be instrumental in getting you a job. I’m assuming you met him as a contact through blogging?
April 25th, 2007 at 12:03 am
[...] to be mindful of, and prompted Anthony Baggett at Antbag to suggest we consider taking a more serious approach to our [...]
April 27th, 2007 at 2:16 am
wow, I wouldn’t want that to happen to me one day! Now that brings about another question… Should you write off as your real name on the net? I wonder how far employers will see you if they discover your ramblings, past complaints or something along that line.
April 27th, 2007 at 3:41 am
I suppose you could write under a fake name……..but if you feel the need to do that, it may be a good indication that you aren’t “putting your best foot forward” online.
June 19th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I think a blog is a great way to sell yourself and get noticed as going “above and beyond”. What do you think of video resumes? Do you think they are as effective?
June 19th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Effective? yes. Honestly, I think video resumes are the future.