My battle with the blog

http://innovationzen.com/blog/2007/02/08/are-blogs-the-new-resumes/



Does being a journalist mean you must be a blogger as well? Recently I have been wondering if I really buy this whole blogging idea. Whats the big deal anyway? With more than 100,000 new blogs being created every day, what is the point?

Personally, I really don't see the hype in blogging. For the most part its just a bunch of people talking about random stuff. But lately I have been reading and been told that blogging could potentially be an asset to when looking into the job scene. Does it set you above the rest when it comes to advances in your professional lives? Do employers really look at a persons blog? Should they be able to?

Rod Boothby, the author of Innovation Creators, wrote an article on this subject and he believes that blogging will provide employers with a more detailed picture of future job candidates. Yes, it may be beneficial in getting a better idea of who the person is applying for the job. But couldn't some of the blogs out there hinder a persons chances?

The whole notion of social communication scares me a bit. Do I really want potential employers reading the ridiculous things written on my social networking sites. Nor do I want them necessarily reading my posts. I understand by posting my thoughts I give up any rights to privacy, but should I be punished for the comments I write. Does writing a goofy post make me less qualified for a position in which blogging has no merit? I don't think so.

By the way,I should clear one things up. You may be wondering if I feel this hatred toward blogging why am I doing it? I am completing a set of 10 blogs for my last class at the University of Oregon. In fact, U of O is a great journalism school with great professors, one of which thinks blogging is an invaluable skill to have, or at least know. In a way, I think she is right. Blogging keeps you up-to-date on tons of issues, in the know, you seem ahead of the game or at least keeping pace with technology, Plus its cool to some people that you can point others in the direction of your Web site.

All things considered, blogging is one of those communication techniques that will eventually take over. Resumes, hiring, potential first date candidates, you name it blogging probably has its stamp on it--or will very soon.