Executive Job Search Tips: Why You Should Use a Blog
Many companies have turned to the Internet to find their new job applicants and executives, so keeping your online presence strong has become more important in recent years. This means that executives, especially, need to develop a professional, big presence online that shows their aptitude for high level positions. Lots of people accomplish this feat by writing a blog.
You’ve probably read numerous blogs in your time, but haven’t written your own. Some people use them for personal venting sessions while others showcase their professional expertise. If you’re trying to build your brand and enhance your executive job search, creating a blog is a good idea. However, if you’re unsure that it will work for you, here are four reasons to consider it as an option.
You Get to Share (and Grow) Your Expertise
One great aspect of writing blogs for your field is that you have the opportunity to share your wealth of expertise. Having been in your field for many years, you’ve seen it grow and can share your own comparative analysis, as well as offer insight into where you see your field heading.
Additionally, you get to conduct research for your blog that can help grow your knowledge. Working with a single company often means knowing your direct competitors, the specific facts of the organization, and the goals and missions of a company. As a blogger, though, it’s important to approach topics in a broad manner to create content that appeals to everyone in your field.
You Can Increase Networking Opportunities
By writing a reputable blog for your field, you could eventually draw in members of your field who would like to comment on your writings and maybe even contact you directly. It helps if you have already set up a LinkedIn profile that you can link to from your blog. This way, interested parties who have already gotten a taste of your level of knowledge can look at additional accomplishments and know how to contact you if they’re looking to recruit.
It’s a Great Resume Builder
Another great reason to blog is that you can build on the accomplishments already on your resume. Since most resumes are shipped off in electronic formats, you can post a link to your blog when you apply for jobs. This way, employers can look at your level of expertise through your blog as they narrow down their options for the position.
You Might Eventually Guest Blog
There’s something very special about having someone ask you to guest blog for their site. This is a great honor and a big opportunity–the other blogger is saying that your expertise in the field is significant enough that he believes his readers would benefit from your views. As you develop your own footprint in the blogging world and expand your professional brand, you might find that some will come to you for your expert opinion. Put a lot of effort into guest blogging spots, as they’ll often open up job and networking opportunities that can be invaluable down the road.
Some say that the idea of blogging being a benefit to a job search is a moot concept because so many people can do it without a professional background. Many bloggers, however, are well respected experts in their field, and build a professional presence online with their blogging efforts. So why not try it for yourself to see if it can enhance your executive job search?