How Blogging and Social Networking can Influence your Job Search Initiative
Online social and information sharing platforms have given rise to an entirely different set of problems when it comes to maintaining the sanctity of the relationship between an employee and his or her employers.
It is no longer uncommon to hear of employees getting fired over blog posts that share confidential information, inappropriate comments on social media pages or posting pictures from the workplace.
Blogging while you Search for Jobs
So the question also arises, what about people who are pursuing a search for jobs online? Is having a blog or a personal website or a social network page going to impact your prospects for the better or for the worse? For instance, one blogger go into the limelight for suggesting that he lies at interviews. If prospective employers knew about this, this definitely wouldn't go down very well for them. Another job seeker may highlight how much she loves to party, drink and spend loads of money. Such information will definitely not thrill most employers.
Privacy Issues
This brings us to the next question, should prospective employers be reading your personal profiles? May be not, but as soon as you put it on the web, it is easily accessible to the public and you cannot stop that. On the other hand, there are a number of professionals who take pride in listing their personal website or blog on their CV. Since we all tend to search for people we are interested to know more about online, there is no stopping an HR manager from doing the same. Remember that just like the internet is among the best places to search for jobs, it is also an excellent resource to look for the right candidates.
Social Network, Blog and Website Do's and Don'ts
With a little caution and common sense, you will be able to create an impressive online reputation for yourself that helps influence employer perceptions for the best.
It is no longer uncommon to hear of employees getting fired over blog posts that share confidential information, inappropriate comments on social media pages or posting pictures from the workplace.
Blogging while you Search for Jobs
So the question also arises, what about people who are pursuing a search for jobs online? Is having a blog or a personal website or a social network page going to impact your prospects for the better or for the worse? For instance, one blogger go into the limelight for suggesting that he lies at interviews. If prospective employers knew about this, this definitely wouldn't go down very well for them. Another job seeker may highlight how much she loves to party, drink and spend loads of money. Such information will definitely not thrill most employers.
Privacy Issues
This brings us to the next question, should prospective employers be reading your personal profiles? May be not, but as soon as you put it on the web, it is easily accessible to the public and you cannot stop that. On the other hand, there are a number of professionals who take pride in listing their personal website or blog on their CV. Since we all tend to search for people we are interested to know more about online, there is no stopping an HR manager from doing the same. Remember that just like the internet is among the best places to search for jobs, it is also an excellent resource to look for the right candidates.
Social Network, Blog and Website Do's and Don'ts
- Avoid including a link on your resume to any page or website that contains content that is inappropriate especially for a professional audience.
- In general, it is important that you are cautious about what you put online. If you have a social network page or pages on multiple platforms make sure your account is private or that you are careful about everything that you post.
- Even if you are looking to search local jobs, having a personal website can be a good thing. Especially if you are able to include samples, a portfolio, your certifications and your resume. Make sure it includes only professional and academic information.
- Avoid listing your blog on your CV unless it is professionally relevant to the position or career you are opting for. For example, if you are planning to search for jobs by location as an urban planner or architect, you can create a personal planning or architecture blog relevant to the region you wish to work in. But, if you have a blog about your travels it makes little sense to talk about it on your resume.
With a little caution and common sense, you will be able to create an impressive online reputation for yourself that helps influence employer perceptions for the best.
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