How can a blog be used to professionally present oneself in a job interview?

Social media and blogging has completely changed the way people are viewed.  When looking for a job, this must be kept in mind.  Andrew Marcinek, teacher, wrote an article entitled "Interview 2.0: Using Social Media to Prepare Student for the Workplace".  In it, he writes that people "...are conducting silent interviews daily by what [they] add to [their] profiles."  So how can social media, particularly a blog, benefit someone in an interview?  There are two ways that I am going to focus on.  One is to show employers what sort of work you have done.  The other way is to promote your writing skills.

A blog can act as an additional resume to a paper resume.  Mr. Marcinek talks about how he recently put his portfolio on a wikispace.  In this way he can showcase his talents and the work that he has done.  This information could also be posted on a blog.  Everything that an individual has worked on can be posted online.  For example, an architect could post designs and schematics of buildings that they have created, or list projects that they have worked on.  This is useful to give potential employers a look at what work has been done and to see the experience a person has.  It is also useful to help them determine if that person is a good fit for the company.

Communication is an important quality to have as a prospective employee.  Companies look for individuals who are able to communicate well, both in writing and in speech.  One of the ways to showcase writing skills is through a blog.  Potential employers will be able to see those writing skills.  This can be a good way to get and edge up on the rest of the competition.

Now, all of this can be very useful, but if the employer does not know that these things exist, then the blog will not be very helpful.  At some point, either in the cover letter, or during the interview, they need to know that this online resource exists for them to look at.  But, blogging can showcase writing skills and supplement a resume.  This can be a great tool in helping with an interview and obtaining employment.

Citation

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/using-social-media-for-interview-20