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In this modern age, the search for employment is highly competitive, and most companies look for candidates online. That’s why it’s crucial to have a curated online presence. Having a LinkedIn profile is a great start. However, if you want to take your preparation for a successful and fulfilling career to the next level, you should consider starting a website of your own. A personal website complements your LinkedIn profile and adds value to it by showing recruiters and HR professionals what you can actually do. It also tells a lot about your personal brand, ideologies, and commitment to excellence.
Having a personal website helps you share your story and take charge of the narrative. That way, even if an employer looks you up online and Google brings up a photo of you having too much fun at a summer party, you’ll still have a professional profile that showcases your skills. Unlike a resume, a website is dynamic, so you can always add your new accomplishments to it, such as completed projects, additional degrees, and certifications. You wouldn’t need to print new copies of your resume to send out to your contacts. Once your site is updated, people can easily see what you’re up to.
The domain name for your personal website matters a lot because it tells people who you are, why your website is worth checking out, and what you have to offer. Generally, it’s best to make your domain name a combination of your first and last name to make it memorable. If you already have a personal website, but your domain name does not truly represent you, you can purchase a new one. Conduct extensive research and leverage domain brokerage tools, such as the domain appraisal tool, to ensure you sell your current domain or buy a new one at the best price.
Furthermore, you should choose the hosting company and plan that is right for you. To ensure you select the right hosting company for your personal website, make a list of all your needs and the features that will help you achieve them. With such a list, you can easily prioritize your website needs and compare the offerings of potential web hosts. Confirm the subscription period for web hosting contracts. You’ll likely find monthly, quarterly, and annual plans and discounted rates for multiple-year contracts. Investigate your upgrade options, the server reliability and uptime guarantees of your potential hosts, and confirm their refund policies. Once you’ve handled the tech aspect of creating your website, it’s time to fill it with the right content. Here are some tips to help you build a personal website that can land you your dream job.
- Showcase Your Personality and Take Your Time
Take some time to figure out what you want to say about yourself on your personal website. Since you’re building a professional page about yourself, you must use your own words and allow your personality to shine.
Bear in mind that creating a great personal website that catches an employer’s eye is not a day’s task, so you shouldn’t rush it. It could take you over a week to complete. The worst thing to do is rush through the process and leave out important details that could distinguish you from other job seekers.
- Pay Attention to Your Site’s Presentation
The presentation of your personal website matters because it says a lot about you academically and professionally. Your site should be thorough since it is basically a detailed CV, but it should not be too cluttered. You can choose a simple layout that is straightforward to edit and not too colorful.
Also, choose a dark font color and light-colored background to ensure the text is easy to read. Do not use so many lengthy paragraphs of text. Instead, ensure there is ample spacing on your website. You can use bullet points to present the text in a spacious and organized manner.
- Include Enough Details
Your personal website should be more detailed than your CV, but it should not contain more than a short paragraph or a few sentences on each element. Some of the areas to address on your personal website are your expertise, any ongoing research you’re involved in, and your research goals.
Ensure you include links to all journals, books, or other types of publications you have written. Also, list your honors, achievements, funding awards, teaching, and other relevant professional experiences.
- Broadcast Your Website
After completing your personal website, add a link to your site in your email signature. Also, share the link on your LinkedIn page and your other social media profiles to gain maximum exposure.
Website platforms usually offer social media widgets that enable visitors to click and share posts or website links on their social media networks. Ensure you add these widgets to your personal website. They are usually placed at the bottom, sidebar, or top right of website pages.