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I am wondering if you have encountered people who place a work-related blog on their portfolio Web site. I am not talking about having a blog that addresses the particular industry in a general sense, such as a copy editor having a blog about grammar or something of that sort. I know you've addressed that issue before.

9/5/07

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What I am talking about is specifically a blog that highlights on-the-job achievements in a blog format. I have incorporated a Wordpress blog of this nature on my site.

The purpose is to highlight my achievements at my job, such as "before and after" editing samples and anecdotes that illustrate initiative. I haven't seen this approach before and am wondering if a recruiter would find it useful.

Thanks,

Angelo

You are putting a lot of thought into your blog, and you are a capable writer, but I question your strategy.

The point of having before and afters and of keeping track of good work you initiate is to impress a very small group of employers present or future. I don't imagine that number could be more than 10 or, more realistically, six. The timing for when they would be interested in this information is also very small -- just at the time when you are looking to make a move or ask for a raise.

Joe Grimm

I think the blog format is all wrong for that. Rather than giving this handful of people the information they want when they want it, you are making it available to all of us all the time. This could expose you to some ridicule. And, if you post a lot of before and after work samples, you could be exposing your colleagues to unflattering attention, as well. Who among us wants to have our worst work corrected publicly? Not I.

I have fewer reservations with writers, photographers, artists and designers posting their work, as we see on places like News Page Designer or personal portfolios.

One important part of using new media is understanding the technology, but I would argue that understanding audience is even more important. This technology is just not right for your intended audience. I would keep a private dossier on your good work and use your blogging skills to reach or build a broader audience. That would be an additional example of your initiative.

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Coming Thursday: This editor is working up to 14 hours a day. He is feeling chest pains and a rising anger, and there is a baby on the way. He wonders whether to hang in there or leave.

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