Writing is a superpower
Words mean things, Part Deux
One of the best things you can do to promote yourself, and thus get a job, is write.
Maybe you don’t think of yourself as a writer. That’s OK.
But writing is just another kind of thinking. And especially when you’re trying to differentiate yourself from a horde of 25-year-olds, writing can be an important tool to do just that.
In addition to promoting yourself and demonstrating your expertise, writing can help you clarify your thoughts about your industry and where it is going. It can clarify where you want to go, too.
Here are five ways writing can accelerate your job hunt.
Write an opinion piece about your industry. A platform like Medium is great for getting something like this out into the world. No gatekeepers, you get feedback, and you can promote it on social media.
Interview a leader in your field. This is a spin on the information interview. It still increases your network and gives you advice and leads, but you can also publish it (see #1).
Post and comment regularly on LinkedIn. It’s not all about your profile on LinkedIn. It’s important to participate as well. Since I’ve been writing daily on LinkedIn, views of my profile have increased significantly.
Write a fantasy cover letter for your ideal job. This not only lets you practice writing persuasively, it also helps you clarify what you’re looking for and what you do best. Looking for some cover letter tips? I’ve got those.
Spend five minutes a day writing a journal. The lowest-pressure writing possible, since no one will see it but you. The best thing about this is it begins to cultivate a writing habit. Writing is a muscle; it needs exercise.
Even if you don’t think you’re a writer; even if your job doesn’t involve writing; I encourage you to try at least some of these ideas. If nothing else, it’s a way to get out of your own head a bit and focus on something other than the fate of your latest job application.
If you’re looking for guidance on how to get started with writing, and especially writing online, I highly recommend checking out Tim Denning and his fantastic library of resources and courses. His course on email newsletters was what inspired me to start writing what you are reading right now.
Writing is a superpower. Onward and upward.
Let me know if you would like me to expand on any of the ideas I’ve only touched on here. In particular, I’m thinking of writing more about Medium as a place to showcase your expertise.
Also, as always, let me know what you think of these emails and if there are topics you want me to cover.
The image above comes from the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the town where my grandmother grew up. Nothing brings together words, craft, and art like that magical place.
I love the idea of writing as a superpower! Especially because it's what I most love doing; I guess I'm lucky that way. But even for those of us who like to write, these tips are helpful. I'm going to make more of an effort to interact on LinkedIn. Thanks for sharing your expertise!