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If You Build It, He Will Come. Part 2
By Kimberly Bock | March 20, 2008
In part 1 we talked about a few of the advantages of creating a blog of your own as a means of building a resume’ that expresses your ability to perform your newfound education without actual SEO employment history.
Before October 07 I had never heard of SEO. I didn’t know what ‘blogging’ was. I never saw an HTML tag or any other kind of tag for that matter.
I had registered with a couple of social bookmarking sites but had forgotten how I got there and couldn’t remember how to return! Like Stumbleupon for example. I signed Aug 14th 07, Stumbled 1 cool page (I remember what it was too..”Icon War“- I believe it was October I came across Stumbleupon again) My only knowledge of a computer at all was how to play Poker and Spades, how to do a Google search, (although nothing interested me at the time other than mostly Poker and Spades) and how to set up an email account.
I was intimidated by the internet. It seemed too vast and I didn’t know where or how to begin. My only real constructive use of a computer was in a library to search their catalog or to play a game.
(Not much to add to a resume’ huh?)
Prior to entering forums, Dummie books, blogs and then Search Engine College in mid October 07, the only education I had was as a 9th grade drop out that finally at age 23 received a G.E.D. (learning SEO came as an option only because a friend of mine that I have a lot of respect for, told me he was an SEM. At the time he was the SEM for Diverse - issues in higher education and has now moved to bigger and better arrangements with MicroStrategy. He is also self taught)
My only work experience?
- Loading and unloading trailers
- waiting tables
- digging ditches & gravel
- plumbing
- warehouse
- various other manual labor positions
Because of this ‘tester’ blog, I’ve had employment opportunities offered to me. I have accepted one recently that I think I’ll really enjoy. I’ll be blogging for an environmental site soon.
Which brings me to a couple other ways to build your resume‘.
1. Donating your services to a non-profit organization.
Advantages:
- Great experience to add to resume’ (looks gooood too)
- Satisfaction of giving to a good cause
- May lead to perma position at pay w/that organization
- May lead to paid employment elsewhere (which is the point)
- Satisfaction of being gainfully employed
Disadvantages:
- No pay while proving your abilities
- Required software may be out of pocket (but likely US reimbursement)
- In house - possible travel expenses
Resources:
- Try Volunteer Match - Service that connects volunteers with possible employers
- Craigslist
- United Way
- Red Cross
Pick a poison - environmental, spouse abuse, substance abuse, shelter orgs, rape crisis, etc..there are so many.
How about this one?
Google a query for something that interests you. Something you are knowledgeable of and would excel at. Email or otherwise contact those sites that seem to be in need of services. Tell them you are attempting to build a resume‘ by implementing what you’ve learned. Depending upon their need, you may just be surprised at the response.
Advantages:
- Same as for non profit but the satisfaction will come from applying your knowledge as opposed to it being for a ’cause’
- People may really be provoked by your unorthodox approach and see you as an asset
Disadvantages:
- Similar to non profit give or take
- People may really be provoked by your unorthodox approach and see you as a few french fries short of a Happy Meal.
2. Active involvement in Social Media and networking.
Positions will come your way once you have established yourself. Others of importance to you will take note of your dedication and growth. When this happens you may just have more on your plate than you know what to do with.
Advantages:
If you were striving for this to begin with, the most difficult choice may be to decide if you want to be more of an SEO, Social networker, or both.
Disadvantages:
If you were not expecting it, you may not want the positions that come your way.
Being successful in Social networking environments takes time and some strategy which may distract you from your true future SEO career goals.
Well, there’s my 2 cents worth which couldn’t buy a cup o Jo.
This is what I’ve learned. And I promised that as I learn I’d pass it on to you.
Good luck to you and have fun with your aspirations!
Topics: SEO/SEM Training |
March 26th, 2008 at 10:56 am
These are good tips to get build an online resume, and in this industry, your blog/online resume can be an asset much more powerful than you paper CV. Thanks for sharing.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Thanks Nick. The usefulness of these suggestions not only helps the reader to establish a better resume’, but helps a good cause. I hope people take advantage of this.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:33 pm
This post greatly encouraged me because you detailed your lack of experience on the Internet. I just started in October 2007 and so I was really impressed to see how far you have come! Sometimes I feel like I have a pen and paper and everybody else has laptops. LOL. But, I’m learning and enjoying myself. Thanks!
April 1st, 2008 at 9:03 pm
You’re the one encouraging ME.
It’s too easy to become discouraged so don’t give up your goals.
We can never tell what tomorrow will bring. Doing our best and enjoying the trip is all we can bank on. Hopefully, things turn out well in the end so we can pass it on to others to do the same. I’m having a great time. Thanks for reading and commenting.
PS: I visited your site. I too enjoy Isaiah 48:17.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Heh, your story reminds me of… well… I could have told that same story, pretty much exactly the same way. Don’t tell anyone, I have a bunch of people fooled into thinking I know what I’m talking about now
Wingnut’s last blog post..How easy is it to push up a social profile page?