Today, the internet is the new job search marketplace and anyone even considering a new job is looking to maximize their visibility online. As a result, LinkedIn has become one of the top social media sites and candidates are scrambling to get discovered. However, there is one tool that even the most savvy professionals aren’t utilizing that could be a fast track to getting hired: blogging.
“Why?” You may ask. Well here are our top 10 reasons blogging can help maximize your job searching:
1. It’s easy for employers to find you
Theoretically, that is the whole idea behind LinkedIn. However, with so many people on LinkedIn, narrowing down perspective candidates becomes challenging. It leaves employers searching for unique indicators of a great hire. And, one of the top indicators for many is whether someone has a blog.
2. Free networking
Aside from potential employers, experts or professionals with questions regarding your area of expertise may reach out to you. With Google taking over as the go-to place for Q and A, it is not that strange for professionals to ask bloggers for help. This can lead to an “in” that you may not have contemplated before.
3. You can market yourself naturally
Consider this, if you were going out to dinner would you chose a restaurant that had advertised itself everywhere or one where the Chef was a known cuisine expert? Publishing a blog demonstrates your knowledge without having to jump through hoops to try to prove yourself to interviewers.
4. It marks you as intelligent, motivated, and always productive
When interviewers ask prospective employees what they do with their free time, in truth they are trying to gauge their level of intelligence and motivation. Probably one of the best answers to have ready is, “I love blogging.” Certainly, this demonstrates that not only are you naturally a hard worker but that you have the foresight to make professional choices that invest in your success.
5. It shows you always have more to offer
At some point during the interview process, your potential employer will compare you to another applicant. As they draw comparisons, blogging will help you stand out. Having the ability to blog is a skill that more and more companies are valuing, and one that they would prefer to have done in-house.
6. It can lengthen your interview
Once a perspective employer knows you have a blog, they will probably read it and it will become an extension of them considering you. With every article they read, they learn more about you, your experiences, and your expertise. This gives you more time in front of the decision maker, in theory extending your interview opportunity.
