Normally when you apply for a job you spend some time updating your resume to reflect the job description given. You also work to finesse a cover letter that links your experience and qualifications into a compelling story that will prompt the recruiter to call you in for an interview.
But in the world of social media, this is unlikely to be the only touchpoint that you will have with your potential new employer (or agent).
If you have a LinkedIn or Facebook profile, a Twitter ID, a Flickr account or a blog, then you will also have a pre-existing record of your social and professional interactions scattered, yet searchable by Google. And ANY recruiter needing to hire someone for a social media role will be pre-screening all applicants — you can bet on it. As I have explained previously:
… blogs allow others to gain a deeper understanding of the person blogging. The posts become a repository of their ideas as well as a journal of their intellectual and creative pursuits. Interestingly, the WAY in which bloggers deal with their readers/audience/community says a lot — and smart employers will do well to check very closely through the archive of postings prior to any interview.
So what does this mean for the job seeker? First some basics:
- Consolidate your IDs: If you have an online ID, make sure you consolidate them all under a single, common name/handle. For example, I use servantofchaos wherever I go — but can also be found as Gavin Heaton. This can sometimes cause confusion. Start with your name and keep it if you can.
- Own your own domain: Check whether yourname.com is available and register it.
- Complete your profiles: Your “about” page can be one of the most important items on your blog. Same with your Twitter home page. Make sure you provide enough “context” for visitors so that they get to “know you” a little.
Once you have the basics covered, you need to become active in the community in which you want to work:
- Participate in the conversation: Your new employer will be looking to see whether you can “walk the walk”. This is most clearly demonstrated by the content you produce, the WAY you interact with others online and the breadth of your network.
- Show your thinking: If you don’t have a body of produced work, make sure you put plenty of your “thinking” online. Don’t just rehash someone else’s work — think about what works and how it could be improved. I remember reading something by Stan Johnson along these lines (though I can’t find it). This will demonstrate your ability to communicate and translate ideas into something more tangible.
These are just a couple of tips to help get you started. Add your own tips to the comments below!
on Oct 1st, 2008 at 12:55 pm
What I have found in my 12+ yrs having websites and blogs is some employers will look, others avoid looking at your stuff. I am sure social media jobs pull n more of the lookers.
For me, I can’t think of one time where having my sites helped or hindered my job prospects. Of course I am sure that plays differently for the marketing and promotion jobs.
Any ideas why a potential employer would not Google someone out?
on Oct 1st, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Start up employers in particular are interested in the idea of being able to access grouped and categorized blogs. I have a few ideas on how we might facilitate that and will be saying more about it soon.
LeaderWorld -
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on Oct 7th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
[...] It can be your personal publication of an advice column or opinion piece. It can also work a lot more effectively than a traditional CV. However, many business professionals presented with the idea of launching one will respond with; [...]
on Oct 10th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Gavin, no offence meant but any recruiter can tell you that the idea of blogs being the next CV is just nonsense. Too much time and effort to maintain regularly. The large number of abandoned blogs is proof.
Regards
on Oct 16th, 2008 at 9:47 am
@Brad … this may have been the case in the past, but for social media roles, the *least* you should do in terms of due diligence is a Google search. If you don’t, then you get the quality candidate you deserve
@Recruiting Animal … no offence taken. However, if you are a candidate looking for a social media role, an un-updated blog is a poor indicator. If it was me recruiting that person, I would be filing that application under G.
on Oct 29th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Thanks for writing this.
on Nov 17th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
[...] you need to be able to cleverly articulate your successes (remember, blogs are the new CV). Build your story. Explain who you are to people. Whittle it down to 30 seconds and practice [...]
on Jan 20th, 2009 at 12:43 am
[...] it comes to recruitment, there are many opportunities. I have mentioned before that "blogs are the new cv" - and my view is that clever use of social networks and analysis can help you identify and [...]
on May 28th, 2009 at 8:31 am
[...] job, then they all start to become a blur after a while.) How can you do this? Start by reading Blogs are the new CVs. Then consider how you can DEMONSTRATE your skills in the production of your [...]
on Aug 3rd, 2009 at 4:00 pm
[...] time ago I wrote that Blogs are the New CVs … but in true social media form, new and innovative approaches have, perhaps, rendered this a [...]
on Sep 1st, 2009 at 2:39 pm
I really like your blog… Keep up the good work!
Kudos!