I came across an interesting article by way of MSN.com today. Here is part of that article entitled:
How To Job Search in 2009
By Patrick Erwin, CareerBuilder.com writer
You could probably fill an entire library with well-meaning books that share conventional wisdom about the best ways to conduct your job search, as well as how to write your cover letter and résumé and how to prepare for your job interview.
But with the uncertain economy and more competition for existing jobs, it’s necessary to look beyond textbook examples to see what practical advice is working for candidates right now.
Start your own blog
The phenomenon of blogging has exploded in the last several years. Although it can be a powerful communication tool, it’s not necessarily a unique one. The social media tracking site Technorati follows more than 112 million blogs every day.
But for job seekers, a blog can be a résumé in motion. It can show potential employers who you are and what you’re about in a very comprehensive way.
“I wanted to gain a deeper understanding of Web 2.0 as it relates to my industry,” explains Debbie Horovitch, a marketing and media specialist. She decided to start a blog and use its content as a virtual calling card, where she can show readers what she’s learned.
“The results of my efforts are online for all potential employers. They can see that I am a self-starter, and understand business trends, opportunities and needs.”
Kelly Rusk was also pounding the pavement. Rusk, a media strategist, had been looking for a new job after a merger left her unhappy with her job. “I sent out dozens of résumés, even had a few interviews with no success,” she recalls.
She decided to take a different approach and completely bypassed distributing her résumé. “I focused on building my personal brand via my blog, and participating on various social networking sites and Twitter. Within a couple months, job offers started coming to me,” Rusk says.
She eventually landed her current job with a startup media company. “Because they came to me,” Rusk says, “I had a lot more negotiating power than ever before.”
So having this blog could quite possible get me a yob sometime in the future?!?
Hey, after being underutilized for the last six years, I can deal with that!
