Have You Heard? Content Is the New Resume.
Why your online presence matters and how to use it to attract real opportunities.
Hopefully you’re not rolling your eyes at this week’s topic, and here’s why:
Whether you’re after job offers, speaking opportunities, career growth, or paid partnerships—thinking like a content creator is one of the fastest ways to get there.
A solid resume is great, but a professional online presence? Chef’s kiss.
You might be thinking, “I’m not going for an opportunity that requires content creation.” That’s not the point. The point is that it helps you stand out and makes it easier for people to want to offer you that opportunity.
For example, recruiters aren’t just looking at your resume. They’re checking your LinkedIn, GitHub, and any platform that gives them more context about your work and helps verify who you are.
Keep these 3 things in mind before starting:
Anyone can do content creation, but not everyone is dedicated to doing good content creation. It doesn’t matter your role or level, you can create quality content. What sets it apart is value, clarity, and consistency. If you care about growth, commit to doing it well.
It’s okay to create content with a specific opportunity in mind. You can use it as an advantage when you know it will serve you in the short or long term.
If you’re in content creation for the long term, repetition is inevitable. You’ll end up saying the same thing 100 different ways—totally normal. Find inspiration on relevant topics from platforms like Reddit, AnswerThePublic, or by asking an LLM.
Step 1: How to start content creation
Ask yourself these questions and answer honestly. No judgment:
What do you want?
Why do you want it?
What do you really want and why do you really want it?
Example: “I want to become a Software Engineer at a Big Tech company so I can grow in my career, but mostly for the pay, so I can afford a luxury apartment and travel to Italy every summer.”
The root of what this person wants is lots of money—point, blank, period. Truly understand the root of your goals because it will help you better understand and prepare for what it’s going to take to accomplish them.
Maybe your goal is rooted in social impact, and in a more niche space. Whatever drives you most, use that as your guide.
Step 2: Where to start content creation
That depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
Looking for a job? Prioritize LinkedIn.
Looking to build a tech community for thought-leader status? Cross-promote on LinkedIn, X, or TikTok. Even publish a newsletter.
Let’s apply this thinking to the earlier example—our Software Engineer would likely post on LinkedIn and X where the tech community and job opportunities are most active. Their content should align with what Big Tech cares about and match the level they’re aiming for in terms of pay and role. Their content will highlight the tools, trends, and challenges Big Tech focuses on. They’ll engage with people who work for, or are connected, to those companies. Their profile and posts will reflect what Big Tech values. They might even post during hours when those employees are most active, just to show up in the right feeds.
Step 3: Engage with intention
No matter your goal, you won’t get there (or stay there) without support.
Figure out which people and spaces align with where you’re headed. Engage in the comments, quote posts when you have something valuable to add, and show up to virtual or in-person events.
Events are a bonus because you can recap them in a post, share what you learned, and show people that you’re plugged in. The goal is to become part of the circles you want to grow in.
In short, network with purpose.
Step 4: Be you
Ever read a post that made you cringe because it felt way too desperate for likes?
I’ve done it myself and still have nightmares about it.
Authenticity beats performance every time. People connect with real stories, real perspectives, and real voices. You don’t need to oversell yourself or copy what’s trending to stand out. Just be clear, be consistent, and be yourself. That’s what keeps people interested and coming back.
This doesn’t mean you can’t utilize an LLM to refine a post, but always make sure it still sounds like you, and that the core idea came from you.
That’s it. Content creation doesn’t need to be difficult, even if it’s strategic. Think of it as another way to network that can open up just as many doors. Try it out and see who comes knocking.
Great advice