It has happened to many and it can happen to anyone. Talking about blogging, it really gets addictive at times. I have felt the same and I think there are many out there who have the same feeling. Anyways as I said it in the beginning, it can happen to anyone...yes, you can get fired because of your blogging. There have been growing cases of such bloggers who have met the same fate. Be it sharing confidential information, making inappropriate comments about the company, or both. Posting company news, pictures, and even making positive comments about a company has got people into troubles and has often cost them their jobs.

So, a question to my fellow bloggers who have been blogging just for fun or say, for passive income and who have a solid job as a backup - Are you ready for the same? Getting fired from your job - How does it sound to you? Have you ever thought of the same? Does your blogging has some limitations or it has become a common place to vent out your frustrations to your company? Do you really care or not ??

Perhaps we never take it seriously. These questions never bother us and sooner or later, we pay price for the same. Anyways, it is a food for thought for all of us. Getting back to the same thing, what about job seekers - should you be blogging or not? Can having a blog, a personal web site, or an account on a social networking site impact your job search, for better or for worse? Well, it can. There are many examples to support the same.

One thing that all job-seekers must know, You are being watched. You may be smart but employers are getting more smarter than you. You may think, you published and escaped but to be honest, employers are looking out at every possible mean to reach out to you and know as much as possible about you. A common thing noticeable today is that people usually do not care much about mentioning each and everything in their resumes. Well, it looks good at one instant but beware of its dangers in the long run. Even if it's not on your resume, if your blog, web site or profile contains information on your real identity, the people you least expect, and those that you certainly don't want reading it, may find it. Not only your boss and prospective employers, but, also your customers, colleagues and co-workers.

So, it does look like a problem to me. But every problem has a solution. And below we have some solutions for the same. The points below are do's and dont's when it comes to blogging for the job seekers. You blog...its fine but try to keep these points in your mind before penning down anything and everything...
  1. Avoid putting a link in your resume which links to any site which includes inappropriate content that is not appropriate for a business audience.

  2. Be extra careful in sharing anything online. It has become a habit for people to share anything on facebook and myspace these days. Its good but you must realize that even if you don’t want others to peep inside still there might be some who may find it easily accessible. Making you account private may help to a great extent. Keep everything private from your prospective employer.

  3. Fine, you have created a personal website. Only thing to remember - If you are a job seeker then your personal website must be specifically related to your job search including your resume, samples, your portfolio, and certifications. Include only professional and academic information. Or use your profile on sites like LinkedIn to promote your experience.

  4. If you have a blog then do mention it on your resume unless it's irrelevant to the career field / position that you are interviewing for. Like if you are a marketing professional and if you have a blog on the same then please mention it in your resume. And if you don’t have a blog then try making one which is related to your career interests.

  5. Start a job search blog which allows job seekers blogging to track their job search and market their skills. A job search blog can help with your job search and give you exposure.

  6. Never put anything in haste and do not put post anything which is inappropriate. Must remember that a hastily written blog post critical of your job or detailing your wild night with a hot date can be read today and you may pretend as if you didn’t do anything but your potential employer will keep it in his/her mind forever.

  7. Last but not the least, do find some time to visit sites like monster.com and naukri.com. These sites have a job search blog plus a variety of mainstream and niche sites. It is highly recommended to read these blogs on a regular basis, review the advice that is offered, and pick up tips that will aid your job search.
Well, here we go again. Frankly speaking, I have never been in any such situations. Though the amount of information which I share is huge and mostly public. But the important thing with me is that I know what to share and what not to. And I feel we all must...what say ??