Editor’s note: Get a Chef Blog to Land That Next Job was originally published in March 2015 and most recently updated in May 2022.
Blogging your way to new opportunities and job success is becoming more and more commonplace. So let’s consider why you should blog to get that next chef job and how you go about it.
Blogging can bring your chef CV to life
By writing a chef blog you can bring many elements of your CV to life through your posts, like an online portfolio but in many ways better. While everyone has a CV, not everyone is a blogger. So committing to maintaining and investing in a blog can set you apart as a job applicant.
A blog can be a wonderful opportunity to highlight your chef skills, showing that you are:
• Knowledgeable or expert in particular cuisines
• Passionate about your job
• Creative
• A good cultural fit for a future team and employer
• Approachable and interested in talking about your work with others.
Gives potential employers insight into who you are
It’s very common these days for recruiters to check out an applicant’s presence online. So having a blog can give potential employers a fuller picture of who you are and how you carry yourself professionally in the kitchen and within a team.
Blogging shows you are current
A positive digital footprint about your professional skills and experience is important in today’s jobs market. By demonstrating you can use a digital toolkit to highlight your work shows that you are keeping current. Creating and maintaining a chef blog directly contributes to that digital footprint. And as you get to control how you project your chef knowledge and skills, it should be positive!
A blog can build your network
Without a doubt a blog will help you build out your network beyond your immediate peers and current industry connections. Especially if it’s updated regularly and well maintained.
How to set up a chef blog to land that next job
Start by following these four steps:
Step 1 – Research
Choose your topic, niche and determine what makes you different from what’s already on the market. Once you’ve figured out what to write about, keep the momentum going and start the setup for your chef blog.
Step 2 – Setup
Complete the technical steps to set up your chef blog, choose your domain and hosting provider and web publishing program like WordPress or Blogger.
Step 3 – Content creation
Create posts – like recipes, opinion pieces and other content/media to post on your chef blog. Remember it doesn’t have to just be words, video is great too!
Step 4 – Promotion
Get the word out about your chef blog.
Elements of a professional chef blog to land that next job
A reliable and flexible blogging platform
Free options like WordPress.com or Blogger are fine for getting started.
A reliable web host
A web host is where your files, content, and images are stored. When you sign up on a free blogging platform, the platform will most likely store your files for you, so choosing a reliable platform is a must. Research options thoroughly.
A strong domain name
This is your blog’s main identifier. When deciding on a domain name, make sure it’s easy not too long, easy to spell and easy to remember. Once you’ve settled on a name, log it with a domain registrar.
Blog appearance and plugins
After you’ve gone through basic web host, domain and blogging platform setup, focus on how you want your blog to look.
Chef blog content creation
The most important part of your blog is the content.
Content doesn’t just have to be confined to recipes or articles. Blog content could be photos, graphics, videos and audio. Don’t feel pressured to do all of this all at once. Explore mediums based on your interests and audience as your chef blog starts growing.
Content tips:
• Keep your blog professional rather than social
• Write about what interests you in your world of food/culinary arts
• Always post clear, quality pictures that support what’s being written about
• Make sure what you’re writing is clear and without typos
• Avoid negative rants – remember you want to build an audience not get rid of one!
Read: Food Photography Tips for Chefs
Seasoned bloggers suggest creating ten posts before launching a blog. This means that you can keep posting regularly, but don’t have the immediate pressure of what to write next as you find your feet in the blogsphere.
It also allows you to see what content is growing your audience and what’s not. This can shape stronger content choices going forward as you look to mark your chef blog out from the competition.
Chef blog promotion
LinkedIn is particularly good, but don’t forget Facebook, Instagram and Twitter when promoting your blog across social media. Likewise, there are plenty of chef groups you join on these platforms that will provide additional opportunities for you to share blog content.
And remember to install social share buttons on your blog to make it easy for audiences to share your content with their networks.
Why get a chef blog to land that next job
Creating and running your own chef blog will improve your digital footprint and make you attractive to potential employers. It can help to set you apart from other chef candidates when you’re looking for your next chef job. But it is also a great way to bring your love of cooking to life online to share with others. So win-win.
Don’t forget you can showcase your blog – amongst other social media page links – as part of your Only Chefs profile.
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