How to mention that you're unemployed without sounding desperate on your blog
May 18, 2011 11:25 PM   Subscribe

I'm trying to fill out my bio section which anyone who clicks my name on the blog, and I'm wondering if there is a casual and witty, but sincere way of writing it to let people know that I'm available for unemployment (or should I mention it at all)?

I'm a writer for a popular blog whose content deals with the industry that I want to get into. I've been unemployed for the past two years since I graduated, and I want to use my blogging work as a potential avenue for getting a job. (I understand there's other ways, but that's for another question)

At first I was thinking of something along the lines of "Scott enjoys _____ and _____ and finding creative ways to conquer unemployment."

Too direct? Too subtle? Any suggestions?
posted by beammeup4 to Human Relations (12 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Is your industry one that usually rewards creativity and wit? For example, if I were trying to get a job with IBM or Microsoft I'd make it direct and to the point, listing my knowledge area and accomplishments.

However, if I were trying to get a job with Google or Digg, I'd be more self deprecating and clever.

All depends on who your audience is.
posted by sbutler at 11:42 PM on May 18, 2011


I would stay away from the word "unemployed". It's kind of a downer word. You always want to keep it positive. Maybe something like "Scott enjoys ___ and ____ and is always on the lookout for new opportunities."
posted by bleep at 11:55 PM on May 18, 2011 [5 favorites]


Someone gave me a good tip to write bio in the first person. Maybe you got that style from freelance sites like I did, but is it needed for a blog? Anyway if you write it in the first person, how about "I'm interested in ....work, if you like what I write get in touch."
posted by Not Supplied at 11:59 PM on May 18, 2011 [6 favorites]


Scott is a freelance writer who enjoys ____ and ____.
posted by rhizome at 12:04 AM on May 19, 2011


(available for unemployment)
posted by ceribus peribus at 12:22 AM on May 19, 2011 [7 favorites]


It's more positive if you frame it as an action, and as an opportunity for them.

"I'm currently looking for a copywriting position in the Cityville area. Interested in talking more? Email me at scott@blogblah.com."
posted by ElfWord at 5:27 AM on May 19, 2011 [4 favorites]


Leave the words "unemployed" and "unemployment" to the Department of Labor. They're not going to help you in this context.
posted by John Cohen at 5:48 AM on May 19, 2011


I've pondered the same and I've decided no. There's no way not to sound somehow under-doggy. First thing: be on top of the game, or to fake it until you make it.
posted by Namlit at 9:33 AM on May 19, 2011


Are you looking for freelance work or fulltime work? I seen a lot of freelancer writers have an entirely separate page on blogs that says something along the lines of "Want to Hire this Writer?" Make it obvious, not subtle I'm doing the same, not that I plan to get projects this way ....but I don't do much marketing, so might as well put something up. It's all a big experiment.

Finally, if the topic is really popular and it is a well known blog, do you have a detailed profile on LinkedIn? Do you have a comment stating "Looking for employment in industry X" along with a link to your actual blog? I've also seen a lot of people do that - as long as it is professional and you don't have a 1000 posts a day, you may have recruiters see it, depending on your industry. There are industries that do have recruiters look for writers on LinkedIn, but I don't know your particular area of specialty/expertise to know if this would or would not work.
posted by Wolfster at 9:55 AM on May 19, 2011 [1 favorite]


That's what the word "freelance" means, more or less. It's like a flag that says "Available for hire."

If you want to write for that industry, then "Scott is a freelance writer who enjoys _____ and _____" is your magic sentence.

If you want to get a non-writing job in that industry, then I would go with, "Scott is a freelance writer and X who enjoys _______ and _______."

You might be tempted to say "former X." Don't sell yourself short. You're still an X, even if no one's paying you to be one right at the moment.
posted by ErikaB at 4:57 PM on May 19, 2011


Seconding Elfworld. If you don't make a direct request, people may not get it. Don't say unemployment and don't say "I'm always looking for opportunities. The former has a negative connotation and the latter implies you're not actively looking for work, which you are.
posted by cnc at 6:03 PM on May 19, 2011


I am a blogger and also freelance consultant / editor / writer, and I have gotten a fair amount of work over the past several years as a direct result of blogging.

I would honestly put a button in your sidebar that says "Hire me!" and then have it link to a page on your blog or even a separate site where you give a brief bio, qualifications, links to places people can find your work, and a description of the type of work you are looking for.

LOTS of bloggers do paid contract work on the side, and a fair number of ambitious, talented bloggers also wind up getting permanent paid positions related to what they blog about, sometimes by starting out as contractors and getting hired as employees. You will not seem unusually needy if you advertise your availability for hire. Just do it with confidence. Don't dwell on the fact that you are currently unemployed.

If you are blogging regularly and working hard on building an audience you're not really unemployed anyway-- you're self-employed. You're just not making any money yet ;)
posted by BlueJae at 7:16 PM on May 19, 2011 [3 favorites]


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