I read an article recently on “de-aging” one’s resume. Not that I’m ancient, but in today’s job market, I knew I had to do something with my resume. It wasn’t getting me anywhere. The article, which was written by Bradford Dworak, explained that a dated resume can make a person look old on paper. When employers picture someone with 25-plus years of experience (that’s me), “they see a bad, gray perm, not someone young, vital and Internet-savvy.” My jaw dropped. I looked old on paper!
The article also went on to say that having a blog and including the blog address in your resume will show that you’re hip and with-it. Having a blog can give you great Web presence, and great Web presence is totally where it’s at now. I didn’t have a blog . . . I didn’t have great Web presence . . . I didn’t look Internet-savvy!
Okay, I was sold. I didn’t want to appear as un-savvy and even more importantly, I didn’t want to be thought of as an old lady with a bad, gray perm. It was time to get to know “The Blog.”
It was scary, I admit. I had never had any direct contact with “The Blog” before. To my own defense, however, I do know all about FB’ing and tweeting. I have become quite skilled at maintaining my own Web site and some of my clients’ Web sites. But there was just something dark and mysterious about “The Blog.”
Long story short, I signed up for a Word Press account, watched the how-to videos, read all the how-to articles, and spent an entire evening discovering the “The Blog.” Since I really am Internet savvy (or so I thought until I met “The Blog”), I figured I could bypass some of the ho-hum stuff and dive right into the more advanced features of “The Blog.” Not so. “The Blog” is definitely not as simplistic as we’d like to think. It is a wild, wild horse that is just begging for discipline.
I’ve gotten as far as posting my first blog and somewhat tweaking my likes and dislikes about “The Blog,” but I have a long road ahead of me. With that said, “The Blog” will not be my demise. I am going to learn it, get good at it, and master this wild, exciting horse.
A few people have asked me, “What is your goal for 2011?” I do have many goals, most of which consist of moving my business forward. And one aspect of accomplishing that is to master “The Blog” for that great Web presence that is crucial to “de-aging myself on paper.”
And this is my very first real blog, FYI. So please do take the time to comment and add in your thoughts. I’d love to hear how other non-bloggers have mastered their own personal apprehensions of “The Blog.” Until then . . . happy blogging!
Hi Patty!
(I wanted to be the first commenter!)
Blogging may be intimidating for at least the first few months but blogging is absolutely helpful especially for a business. Its your platform to educate your prospects and communicate with your clients.
Judging by this post, you have a lot of potential and I’ll be back for more tips and insights from you soon!
Thank you for your comment, Carey. I look forward to hearing back from you. I’m ready to tame the beast (a.k.a. “The Blog).
A wndoerufl job. Super helpful information.
Thank you, Lynda. I am so glad you enjoyed the article.
Hi Patty,
Just the blog for me. I am not a blogger at all. It takes a lot of editing prior to posting my blog.
I will be watching your blog for updates and more tips.
Thank you!
Linda, thanks for posting! Yes, I’ve spent days trying to educate myself with the whole blogging world, and I’m still in this “what?” stage. I am definitely taking baby steps, and just starting real simple. Here’s a good one — let’s hold hands and jump in the kiddie pool. Little by little, we’ll graduate to the deep end of the pool. Thank you again for your comment!
Hi Patty
thank you for the link, I am so glad that you did. Everything you wrote could have been written by me
. I am definitely in the same boat as you. I too am now in the process of learning how to ‘blog’, still scary to me, but I WILL overcome.
We shall overcome! Thank you, Frankie, for your comment. I look forward to reading your blog and will applaud your mastery of “The Blog.”
See, I told you I would check it out
I’m impressed that this is your first blog. Keep up the good work!
Great post Patty! You know I never thought of it that way, but you are so right about the “age” thing. Sometimes experience is not what gets the job. Unfortunately, we live in a superficial society, and sometimes the younger, better looking person gets the job over the one with more experience.
To quote Evelyn Couch: “Face it, girls, I’m older and I have more insurance.” I love that movie… “TOWANDA”!!!!
Once you start writing it becomes an addiction!
Good on you for starting a blog, I look forward to many more great posts to come.
Thank you, Bridie. I am focusing on posting to my blog monthly at this point. I am on the “slow and steady” pace for the time being. Thank you for your comment. I do feel strongly on this subject and am so glad you enjoyed reading it.