Social Networking & Blog Links in Your Resume?

With the proliferation of blogs and social networking, many job seekers have begun to wonder about whether to include relevant links to these sites in their resumes. These links could include LinkedIn Profiles, profiles on Facebook, MySpace, Plaxo, Ning, Zoominfo, or Ziggs, or even a link to a blog. Certainly the number of places where a person can be "found" online is multiplying daily! And we know employers are using these social networking profiles and blogs to search and "qualify" job search candidates (see Online Identity Management and Job Search).

What prompted this post is a question from an employed job seeker in Information Technology who writes a "work-related" blog. He felt his blog link should be on his resume, but was confused about where to place it. The straight-forward answer is where it will most easily be seen: at the top of your resume with the rest of your contact information.

But the bigger question is this: is your blog content and image aligned and positively adding to your personal brand and your brand message? Will it pass scrutiny for 1) not being objectionable or giving away confidential employer/company information, 2) establish you as a thought leader in your industry and as a "giver" who shares resources and information, and 3) contain recent content and consistent updating with new blog posts?

If you can say "yes" to the questions above, your blog could ideally differentiate you from your competitors in the job market and highlight your unique value to the employer. In other words, simply writing a blog or a LI Profile is not enough. Gaining visibility by providing a link on your resume or by being "found" online is the first step; delivering your compelling personal branding message is the critical closer.

Comments

[Dr. G]

In my view, the relative value (in the employer's eyes) of this info is likely to be low for a while against employment history, proven achievement etc. However, the relative impact of something negative in an online profile will tend to be high

[Landon The Job Interview Tips Dude]

Nice article Susan! These are great suggestions for the resume. Personally I'd say it would be smart to put social media & blog links on your resume since you know employers are going to be looking up this stuff anyways, right? So why not be transparent and make their work easier for them. Anyways, keep posting stuff like this! Nice work.

[Susan Guarneri]

Thanks Landon! I agree, transparency is expected now that so much info can be found on the Web. So every jobseeker needs to use that transparency to cement their personal brand and unique value to a potential employer. I appreciate your comments.

[Martin the career aptitude guy]

Good point well made. I will pass it on to my students who could learn a lot from this.

[Free Online Resume Builder]

I am agree with your article that the social networking link should be on the top of your resume with the personal details such as phone, email id etc. instead in work experience. Adding link on the top it may create a positive impact.

[Professional Writing]

If you have in person customer service, coaching, team membership, people management experience or have attended sales, communication, or team seminars, or have served on live committees by all means make some inclusion on your resume. Employers want people who can play well with others.