If it was in public services such as Education, Police or Health, I’ll bet your prospective employees might be slightly more twitchy.

That it is none of their concern, perhaps?

My blog is not on my CV and have no plans to include it. Nor, for that matter am I prepared to explain why – beyond that it is nothing to do with work, just as my other extra curricular activities are nothing to do with employers.

What I do outside of work remains there. If employers wanted to look at my blog, they can. If they try to pry into my outside work activities or seek explanations as to why I do not mention it, they would be reminded of the firewall I keep between the two.

If it is in your name, then they will ask you why it is *not* on your cv. What are you hiding?

Two points:

Rather obviously, the best option would have been to think about that before you started (as you say). I cover this (plug) in my article in Iain Dale’s book.

However, I suggest tailoring that section of your cv with each application, along with all the other sections. I’d go for three options, depending on employer. In your case you can choose to emphasise this blog or the scottish roundup (which demonstrates successful management of virtual teams and media experience – as of last week).

1 – Emphasise the blog as key in your skills summary.
2 – Include it , but not on the front page.
3 – Don’t include it but be prepared to explain why.

I don’t see either of your blogs as embarrassing, unless you apply to FoE (Motor racing).

I’d also make it clear that you will withdraw the obvious namecheck on the blog if they require, and will be sincere about not blogging about work or violating your contract, but that you are not prepared to stop blogging (unless you are). And that you run 2 out of the top blogs in the world/UK/in Scotland.

Once you choose a policy, stick to it unless you have major reason not to.

Matt

I don’t put that I ‘blog’ on my CV, but I do tailor it to a potential employer, and normally list a few key skills I’ve picked up from blogging–it was those skills that got me my main job over the other applicants. SEO, usability, content management, editing, proofreading, writing. All good to have.

One client was also impressed I was top google result for tony blair murderous bastard. Plus I’m also top result for my name, and I’mv ery happy with the results that come out under it as well, so anyone snooping finds public me, which is good.

I don’t necessarily think that having a blog would be good only if you wanted a media-related job (although that is an obvious area). I’ve been writing a whole list of skills that blogging has demonstrated and helped me improve. The only reason I haven’t included it on this post is because it is so bloody long!

As for the issue of what is wise to say on a blog (or the internet in general) or not, I have had a little rule in my head for a few years. I only write something on my blog if I would be prepared to write the same thing on a billboard on the street. It’s easy to think that your blog is hidden away, but it’s not really. Unless you are really good at keeping your anonymity, people will find it.

DK