So, I found a teaching gig I am interested in at Virginia International University in Fairfax, VA. They are a recently accredited academic program and I am interested in learning more about them. Their emphasis on collegiate level ESL would indicate an international student body of international students. It would be an exciting if that assumption is correct; what a perfect academic demographic for a Geography Course. Wish me luck, I submitted the application today. If interested, I attached a copy of my cover letter and resume here.
In the meantime it dawns on me that blogging your resume and cover letter may be a good strategy for applying to graduate school, a teaching position or a non-academic position. If relevant to the position, consider including a link to your website or blog directly on the cover page and/or . Below are some reasons why:
1. You can lead your audience to the relevant topics. In my case, I applying for Geography Professor positions in the Washington DC Metro Area. I want reviewers of my resume to read the following posts on this site:
- The Open-Source Geography Project
- Building an Effective Student-Professor Relationship
- The Role of Geographic Information Systems as Instructional Technology
- Where is Margarittaville: A Sample Student Project
- Thought on the Idea that a Students Work Has Value Beyond the Classroom (forthcoming)
- About
2. Authenticity: A professional cover letter should demonstrate both your ability to write, your interest in the position and your qualifications. This a lot to accomplish in such a short amount of space and sometimes authenticity, which requires a bit more superfluous language, is sacrificed over information. A blog is an excellent vehicle for communicating what you cannot in the cover letter.
In addition to providing additional information about yourself , a blog is an excellent device for providing employers with a sense of who you are.
3. Redundancy: In once sense, it is redundant should your computer blow-up. We all know the likelihood of an employer reading your blog is is very low. However, should they want to look you up, your material should be available for them. An added bonus is that the public record of your experience and interests can be targeted to other employers seeking your skills.
4. Visibility: They are going to look you up anyway. This may not be as true for academia, but it is an increasing trend in corporate and public sector hiring to use your public Internet record as a means for disqualifying you as a candidate, It may also be a hiring factor or at least competitive advantage.
5. A Memory Refresher: Blogging about your professional experience, and targeting it to a specific type of graduate program or employer, is an excellent memory refresher and avenue for generating an overall position statement and professional stance.
6. It Can Hurt and Only Help: Seeking admissions into an academic program or being hired for your dream jobs are extremely competitive processes. Being able to demonstrate professional credibility and consistency can be a determining factor in your success.
7. Communication Practice: Everybody needs to learn how to write, speak and communicate better. The best speakers and writers have one thing in common, they speak and they write. They are constantly honing their skills.
8. Dissertation Topics and Research Interests: A blog is an excellent vehicle for essaying your academic and professional interests. My problem has always been that I am interested in everything. I find Geography where ever I look. A blog is an excellent repository for documenting, organizing and prioritizing these ideas. I also used to worry that if I posted an idea in such an open-forum, it would get stolen. My new outlook is that a stolen idea is a good idea.
