Back in college (oh, how old I sound saying that!), I blogged right along with my Etsy shops. I never had any intention of making blogging a paid gig (who knew that was possible back then?), but thinking back, it made sense. I was studying English and had planned to become a fulltime writer, and blogging was just an outlet. When I graduated, I struggled for a few months to find a way to show employers that I was serious about my writing and that I had some actual experience rather than just the degree, which we all know sadly doesn’t seal the deal!
It took about nine months of working an office assistant gig—all the while blogging and Etsy-shop owning on the side—to find a job that was right for me, an entry level position as an editor here in LA. At the time it felt like years, but now I can confidently say I’m proud that I was able to land a gig that felt like a great opportunity relatively quickly, one that I’d spent so much time working toward. I freelance now but I wanted to share my story because I think it’s really important to help people see how they can go from A to B—whether A is lost college grad, passionate part-timer, or career direction changer—and that what you may brush off as just a hobby or side project, could be the deciding factor.
Of course my degree helped. Though I have to agree that those four years of work (and DEBBTTTT!) toward it are WAY under recognized, I know that it’s where I honed in on the skills I needed to move into editorial full time. I also studied things like professional writing and publishing, so I felt pretty well rounded.
But most writers these days have an English degree. The reason I got my foot in the door? I blogged! I had spent all this time blogging, and even though I didn’t have a fancy media kit or 1000s of followers—not even close—the fact that one could scroll through an extensive archive of well written, conceptualized, and photographed posts let prospective employers know that I was serious about my craft. Even if to me it didn’t feel that big.
I also want to note that I’ve proofed and edited many a resume in the last few years, too. The #1 thing holding people back is that they’re not comfortable selling themselves. Often a candidate will have a ton of related experience that they just didn’t get paid for or seemed off the record, so they won’t even think of putting it on. The truth is employers want to see that you’re a little different. (Further, I’ve been on the receiving end of resumes, and can attest—employers go through hundreds of applications for each open position, that cliché advice of making yourself stand out couldn’t be truer.)
Beyond that I had done an internship and a few—very few!—freelance gigs (for dirt cheap) while at that job, so I did have a few samples. My main point isn’t that your blog is what will land you a position, but that when drafting a resume or creative portfolio you shouldn’t limit yourself to traditional experience. Especially in nontraditional fields. If you blog, own an Etsy shop, taught yourself photography just for Instagram (and have some great photos to prove it), you shouldn’t be afraid to list that as skills and experience. When landing a job like those in editorial, social media, and design, any awesome thing you can contribute is fair game. As it turned out, what I was doing in my spare time was FAR more interesting than that glorified receptionist position I held to pay my monthly student loan bill, and I’m glad that after some major hustle, people saw it.
The last thing I want to say as that what you put on your resume naturally attracts the type of jobs you’ll get. If you want something like blogging, like a job at an online publication or in social media, then of course you should add it! But if you’re vying for a job in finance but just blog on the side occasionally, I can see why you might not bother with specifics. I know this isn’t 100% related to what we normally write, but I hope someone can benefit and be inspired to add a few bullets to the resume!
Is your blog on your resume? Learn how to reference your blog on your resume in our follow up post!
Alyssa J Freitas says
My blog is on my resume! It shows dedication, creativity, and motivation; all things I want an employer to associate with my name
Angela says
Exactly! You have to think beyond the blog and what kind of skills and talents it represents.
Emily says
This is really good advice! I totally agree that your blog should be part of your resume. It’s where I do all my writing, after all. :)
Angela says
Thanks Emily! Agreed! :)
Jenn says
Hi Angela!
I’m currently in a business school and they have constantly told me that the best resume is the boring simple one that they provide for us but I honestly don’t agree with them. I want to create a more visually appealing resume that would stand out from others but I’m not sure if it is a good idea? They make it seem that if I don’t use their template then I cannot land a job in the business field and they don’t recommend adding ‘creative’ things like blogs and such.
I just started my blog this month so I’m currently not 100% confident about my blog (there are a handful of things I’m still working on) but I do want to add it on my resume.
I’m so conflicted!!
Angela says
I’m biased because I’m in a creative field, but I know from the tech writing classes I’ve taken and looking over resumes at jobs that it definitely pays to stand out. I’d say for something like business that no matter what you need to grab the employer’s attention. So if it’s in a visual way, that’s great! My boyfriend works in business and was telling me about how more & more, employers are wanting to get to know if a client fits with the company culture, so they’ll definitely be looking at how you put your personality in your job application.
And of course you don’t need to put it front & center, but you can always note the blog in the skills section or at the bottom.
Brooklyn W. says
Mine isn’t on my resume (partly because it’s so new ;)), because I’m in college to become a Health Information Management Professional. What does that have to do with my blog? Hehe!
Instagram: @latidoblog
Facebook: la ti do
Angela says
Sure maybe you don’t need to put it on there, but it never hurts to share the kind of skills you’ve gained in research, writing, photography, etc., by working on a blog.
Rachel says
Totally agree that putting your blog on your resume helps! You learn SO many skills from being a blogger!
Ariona says
My blog is on my resume and it’s one of the best decisions I made!
Angela says
Glad to hear it! Me too!
Jemima | Fiddle & Spoon says
Definitely agree! My blog is on my resume (and my linkedin, and my facebook page under ‘work’…)
I’m also in a creative field though, so it’s pretty fitting! I can see how someone in a hugely different line of work might struggle to make it relevant.
J x
Gemma says
I’ve been trying to incorporate my blog more and more into my job hunting. So far, it’s landed me a few gigs. I’m always interested to see how others note it on their resumes, though.
Gemma | http://activelygemma.com/blog
Jordan says
Hi Angela! Great advice…I have my blog on my resume but am unsure exactly how to reference it. Any suggestions? Do you include specific stats, collaborations, etc? Not sure how to market it on my resume!
Rai says
This is a really good outlook. I didn’t have it on my resume but I did mention it in my last interview that I have a job for now. I think they liked the originality of it and that you can see that you put effort and time into things you are passionate about which is great at any workplace! \
Rai | utterardour.blogspot.com
Kyah says
I have actually begun putting my blog on my resume! I feel almost silly for doing it, but it could impress someone, who knows?
Kyah / http://www.weekendtempo.com
Shehla says
Thank you for sharing this. I already have my blog added to my resume, but I felt weird about having it on there. I graduated with an English degree last year, and I wanted to go into editorial work afterwards. I worked an internship at a publishing company for a few months, but I haven’t been able to land a job yet. My blog has been somewhere for me to hone those skills that I’ll need and it’s starting to be profitable, too. Reading about your experience in a similar way has been enlightening. Thank you!
Angela says
Wow, so much like my experience! It’s disheartening to do all that work toward one field and not find something, but I know you will. I was so frustrated when on the job hunt but after finding a great fit (and one that referenced my blog right away in the interview) I knew it was worth those months of keeping at it! You’re definitely doing everything right. Good luck :)
LisaLDN says
A massive YAYY to this post! My job field isn’t related to blogging at all, but I still feel it’s a great asset to be able to show a potential employer that I can manage my time well enough to get noticed, that I am passionate about something and that I work hard on things I care about :)
Angela says
Yes exactly!!!
Anton Barrett says
I think adding your blog to resume is really a great idea. It can tell a lot to an employer about you and be really helpful for job hunting.
Thanks for an awesome post!
Anton Barrett
http://www.resumetitle.net/
Angela says
Thanks Anton!