Ask the Recruiter

I love your Ask the Recruiter column -- it's been a great source of advice and encouragement, and I really appreciate your honest, detailed answers. You've been helping me along throughout my career; in fact, I gobbled up info on the Free Press' JobsPage when I was looking for my first job out of college, and now, eight years later, I'm sticking with you via Poynter, so thanks a bunch.

Here's my question:

ASK JOE A QUESTION

To get your question answered on this page, send it to Joe. Please include your full name in your message. If you prefer that your surname not be published, please indicate that. Sign up to receive Ask The Recruiter by e-mail: * Click here (sent Monday-Friday at 8 a.m.)

Is it ever helpful to mention one's personal blog on a resume? Just a couple years ago the thought wouldn't have crossed my mind, but now so many job postings look for online experience that I've started wondering whether it might be relevant to let a recruiter know that I blog. It's not as good as actual work-related online experience, I realize, but it seems like a good way to show that I'm comfortable enough with technology to maintain an Internet presence and am able to deal with new -- if blogging counts as new -- technology. I'm a copy editor, so maybe this isn't so important, but I feel that my blog also is a good showcase of my writing.

My blog is pretty much the personal diary sort -- it contains nothing whatsoever about work, nothing terribly shocking, nothing strongly political and nothing X-rated, though I'll admit to a little bit of profanity.

Think it's a good idea to mention it when job hunting, playing it up as an asset and/or skill? Or am I better off leaving this little hobby out of the conversation?

Thanks so much,

Stacy

I would bring it up in the interview. I would not put it on my resume.

Your blog is good, but here's why I would make the distinction: Smart journalism job seekers differentiate between clips that are best for reading and clips that are best for talking about. Usually, they reserve for talking the ones that lead to a good interview conversation. Your blog, a personal one, is better for conversation than for introducing yourself professionally.

Joe Grimm

You can explain that you're comfortable with the technologies, posting images and all that, and it should sound good. But you don't want to walk into an interview with someone who has just learned on your blog you buy gum by the jug, you don't like noodly jazz, jet lag can mess up your monthly cycle -- and what about all those pictures of the way your husband eats? (People will follow the links, too).

Way too much information.

A more focused, less personal blog would be great to list on a resume, if it is well done and successful. Bill Walsh's The Slot and extended family of Web sites, blogs and, now, photos, would be great on a resume.

---

Coming Monday: She is getting good references, but is having trouble choosing between the people who know her work better and those with larger titles.

---