I have been working with a friend/client who was unexpectedly laid off on Christmas Eve. He is truly an expert in his field (not to mention a journalist) and, to my surprise, didn’t have a blog. I’ve spent the past couple of weeks helping him get a blog up and running as well as discussing why he should be blogging. Yesterday, he admitted that he had been thinking about all the ways blogging could hurt his career. Here’s what I had to say…
If a person is blogging and they are *hiding* it from their employer, they are hiding it for a reason. If you are somewhat established in your field, blogging should really be a way for you to express your ideas and as a result, your strengths. By showing that you understand the industry and its trends and providing useful information for your readers, you are showing the world (and potential employers/clients) that you know your stuff.
Granted, if you are blogging about your recent breakup and subsequent substance abuse issues, you might not want your new boss at the office knowing about it. But if you have something helpful to say about your space and you can form complete sentences, I say – go for it.
Approach blogging like you would writing a business document or article – user proper grammar and use spell check. As you write, be sure that your winning personality shines through. To start, include a link to your blog in the signature block of your emails. Back-up your expertise with a complete, well-written LinkedIn profile. Cite other experts if you need to backup your opinions. If you are concerned about saying something that may be contrary to your employer (or potential employer) include a disclaimer that says that these thoughts are your own and not the thoughts of your employer. I guess the gist is – don’t be afraid to blog if you have something worthwhile to say. Here are a few other useful posts about utilizing social media to find your next job…
- If you are laid off, here’s how to socially network - Robert Scoble (I agree/disagree with some of his points, but its all good information)
- Social Media Must Haves for the Recently Laid Off - Susan Mernit
- Build Your Social Media Networks Before You Get Laid Off – Column2
