How a Personal Website Can Help Your Job Search

While a strong resume will help you stand out among job applicants, having a personal website goes a long way to improve your odds of getting the job.

A personal website has been essential to creative professionals such as graphic designers, working in a creative field. Now, the trend is becoming more mainstream in the employment market. In addition to having a strong resume, a personal website is also a great tool to have in your career toolbox. 

The rise in remote and hybrid work has made online communications more important. And showing up is half the battle. With more and more employers researching job applicants online, owning your own website gives you a great shot at showing up when someone Googles you. A personal website is a great way to show off your abilities, expertise, and portfolio. But most importantly, having one on the web allows you to control what people find when they search for you. Having a personal website also sends a message that you take your career seriously—and employers will take notice.

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Strategies to Build a Website that will Get You Hired

So how do you use a personal website to impress your next employer with an amazing showcase of your unique qualifications? Keep reading to learn how to create and promote your personal website to get you hired.

Creating Your Personal Website

First, you’ll need to choose a platform where you will build the centerpiece of your online presence. Our website platforms of choice are Squarespace and self-hosted WordPress. But if you can’t decide between the two. Squarespace is ideal if you’re not tech-savvy and want stunning, high-quality templates while WordPress via Bluehost is ideal if you want more power and customization.

1. Optimize your introduction. Hiring managers want to figure out what kind of employee you’d be without having to spend a lot of time reading. Start with a strong summary that conveys your personality and major achievements in just a few sentences.
   
2. Focus on visuals. Photos, icons, and formatting make your website more attractive. Take pictures and browse online for free stock photos. creating graphics can be easy with CANVA and infographics using software like Google Charts.
   
3. Include a headshot. If you don’t want to pay a professional photographer, use these tips to take your own headshot photos. Be sure to smile and wear something classic in dark or neutral solid colors.
   
4. Provide work samples. Depending on your line of work, you might feature articles you’ve written or case studies of successful projects. Testimonials are a valuable tool because what others say about you can be more persuasive than what you say about yourself.
   
5. Use tabs. What if your work involves several different areas or you have a side gig? You may still want to use a single website with separate sections for each line of work.
   
6. Check contact information. How do you want others to reach you? Consider using a contact form instead of posting your cell phone number or home address online.
   
7. Be authentic. Try to let your individuality shine through, while still being professional. Mention your volunteer work or interesting hobbies.

Promoting Your Personal Website

Once you’ve developed an impressive personal website, you’ll want to promote and utilize it in your job search. You definitely don’t want to put in all that hard work: design-savvy, good copy, and expert content, and no one sees the fruits of your labor. 

1. Learn SEO.  How can you attract potential employers and other visitors to your website? Study and apply some basic search engine optimization. For example, research industry keywords and use headings and subheadings. You can find free SEO courses online from reputable organizations.
   
2. Link to website. Be sure to include your website in your email signature, on your resume and cover letter, and on social networking profiles such as LinkedIn. For extra impact, put your headshot in too, when appropriate.
   
3. Write a newsletter. The traditional newsletter is still an excellent way to stay in touch. Make it interesting and useful and provide an easy way to opt out.
   
4. Update regularly. It’s easy to keep your website current, unlike outdated resumes that end up in the recycling bin. Post major changes promptly and start a folder for the material you might want to add later, so you’ll remember it for future editing sessions.
   
5. Perform analytics. Studying your data will help you to evaluate your efforts and make changes as needed. Many website building and hosting companies have analytics built in to help you measure things like unique visitors and traffic sources.
   
6. Build your brand. Think about how your personal website fits into your online presence and your overall efforts to position yourself professionally. Maintain a consistent tone. Audit yourself occasionally, including your social media pages, to see that you’re projecting the image you have in mind.

A personal website could make your next job search faster and more successful. It’s one more tool that helps you stand out from the crowd and show an employer how much you have to offer.