It wasn’t too long ago that social networking sites, like Facebook, were viewed as a potential liability when applying for a job. But now, these types of sites are becoming more and more networking sites as opposed to just a ’social’ function.
Facebook, though, still needs to be viewed with caution, especially among college students who post a ridiculous amount of photos and status updates that reveal waaay too much information. Learn about privacy settings.
LinkedIn has increasingly become the site of choice for business professionals to post resumes, get recommendations and seek job opportunities in their field. (I have a profile myself, which you can view here). I’ve been using LinkedIn for a little over a month now, but don’t really like that I only get 5 introductions. But having a profile in the site is a real advantage and it links to my Web site where potential employers would be able to contact me directly.
But another requirement should be added in today’s job market, particularly among journalists: A Web site with its own domain name, complete with resume and clips, as well as a blog. As journalism continues to move online, I also wonder how essential a blog is becoming — I would bet its becoming more resume-worthy with each passing year.
Depending on the organization or the recruiter, a blog can big plus — or even an essential. Having a good blog, especially one you started yourself (i.e. not because of a class requirement), can show several things:
-You are self-motivated
-You are an entrepreneurial
-Your quality of unedited writing
-Your understanding of blogging/why it’s important
It can also demonstrate
-Whether you are fully engaging your audience
-Whether you are consistent
I’ve heard some people say they won’t hire a journalism job candidate who doesn’t have a blog. Or, if you don’t blog, they you need to have a good reason why not.
I think that having a blog is one best ways to learn about online journalism, especially if you use it as an opportunity to better engage the wider journalism community.
Let’s not forget microblogging either. Blog instruction labels should say: “Best when taken with healthy dose of Twitter.”