HOW TO BIG UP YOUR BLOGGING SKILLS ON YOUR CV
Here’s something that might surprise you – not all bloggers run their blogs full-time. Most of us have jobs and a lot of us want to keep it that way.
That might seem strange to you in the blogosphere today. It seems like so many people are chasing after a life of being a full-time blogger, yet they don’t actually know how to get there.
But don’t fret – it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. You might not want your blog to be your job, but it can definitely be more than just a hobby.
I’ve spoken before about why you should add your blog to your CV – I mean, it’s probably like a part-time job to you, right? And think about how much you do as a blogger. So today, I wanted to help you figure out how you can make your blog stand out on your CV.
#1 | Decide where it’s going to be on your CV
The first thing you’ve got to decide is whether you actually want your blog to be on your CV or not. If you feel that it’s too personal or there’s another reason you don’t want people to see it, then my advice would be don’t include it.
But if you’re comfortable and proud of what you put out there, then definitely include it on your CV – the title, how long you’ve been running it for and a brief description. There’s a very strong chance that potential employers will check your blog. So it’s important to put it in a very tactical place.
The first thing to do when it comes to deciding where you’re putting it, is to think about the kind of jobs that you’re applying for – and what the content of your blog is about. So I work in marketing. My blog and what I blog about is so relevant to my job, so I put it right up there at the very top, and I always mention it in my cover letter too.
Tom on the other hand, blogs about sport, so his blog isn't as relevant to some of the jobs he’s applying for. If he was applying for a general digital marketing role, he’d probably put it on the second page as a little note. But if he was applying for a role like that within the sport industry, he’d be putting it right at the top.
#2 | Include your URL
CVs have changed so much over the years. It’s not as simple as a word doc anymore. The main way people look at your CV is on their computer. So to keep up with the changing times, you want to make it as interactive as possible.
That means including a live link to your blog. By doing this, people looking at your CV can click on the link right there and then to be taken to your blog, without even having to search for it.
You can even do this with some of your most popular social channels too like Twitter, Instagram and especially your LinkedIn.
#3 | Include all your skills & any other sites you’ve written for
Can you list all your job roles as a blogger? I’ll help you get started: writer, editor, designer, photographer, social media manager, promoter – and I bet you can think of loads more.
Whatever your job, one of the most important things you want to get down are your skills with a computer. It’s not just about saying you can use Microsoft Office. If you use Photoshop, InDesign or another piece of software, make sure you include that too. Your blog is the perfect way to show how you continually expand and develop these skills.
Every single skill you can think of you want to include. Go through your whole creative process from creating the initial idea to hitting publish and write down everything you do. I bet each of these relates to a skill.
If you’ve done any guest posts or freelance writing, it’s worth noting down those on your CV too. This shows that you’re getting your name out there and building your personal brand, which employers will find really impressive.
#4 | Note down any important stats
I know it’s not all about the numbers, but they can still make an impact. If there are any great stats you’ve collected from your blog, there’s no harm in including these on your CV too.
You don’t have to do it in specific stats though – you could do it in percentages. For instance, in one of my old jobs, the company I worked for didn't use social media effectively. I took charge of it and grew their presence by over 300% in about three months. I always put that on my CV and talk about the marketing plan I implemented to get there.
Depending on the type of work you do, there’s always a stat you can include. Do some digging.
#5 | Create a title for yourself
This is where the fun begins, and I can honestly say this is the biggest CV tip I’ve ever been given.
On your CV you don’t just want to put your name. You want to put exactly what you are. For the past few years on my CV it’s said “Brand Journalist”, because I write to build a brand. Before that, it was Social Media Journalist and then it evolved.
This is exactly what you want to do too. Make it unique. Call yourself a blogger if you want, but call yourself more than that. This shows that you’re not just showcasing your blog as a hobby – you’re showcasing it as a skill and a career too.
I know my blog and personal brand have played huge parts in getting me to where I want to be today. It’s incredible that we get a platform to showcase who we are and to me, that’s definitely worth shouting about.
Do you think it’s important to include your blog on your CV? What’s the biggest thing you can take away from this post?
