Creating a self-promotional website is a fun and unique way to get ahead and impress a potential employer. Here are the best tips for you.
Creating a self-promotional website is a fun and unique way to get ahead and impress a potential employer. It can be a little daunting to get started because there are so many different ways to do this based on your career path.
There are different costs and time commitments involved depending on what you chose to do.
According to Top Resume, having a personal website can definitely improve your chances of getting employed.
Step One: Have a Vision
Before you dive into website design, you should look at some personal websites for inspiration.
Check out these unique websites compiled by Zylo. Many of the websites in this example are professionally made, which can be a costly option, although it might be worth it.
Consider what you want to show on your website. If you are an artist, you want a beautiful way to display your masterpieces.
A writer should consider a blog.
Even if you are just starting out and don’t have a clear career path in mind, you can still create a website listing your skills, interests, and references.
Consider taking all the information from your CV and turning it into a self-promotional website.
Step 2: Plan & Budget
A website can be free or cost hundreds every month.
Similarly, the skill level required to create a website can vary. You should explore some website-building platforms and see what works for you.
My personal recommendation for a free website is WordPress.com. Keep in mind that a free site cannot be connected to a unique domain.
This means that it will be something like www.wordpress.yourname.com rather than www.yourname.com but you can always get WordPress hosting and a domain name from an affordable hosting provider.
One of the easiest ways to build a beautiful website that requires no special skills is GoDaddy.com.
You can also buy a domain from them for as cheap as $0.99. I usually pay around $20 per year because I opt for extra security.
They also have a website-building platform that has beautiful templates and is really easy to use.
This cost varies but starts at $9.99+ per month. The fantastic thing about GoDaddy is its exceptional and timely customer support.
If you decide to hire someone to build your website, you can use services such as Upwork to find the right fit.
However, I do recommend that you look into doing it yourself first as it is much easier than you’d imagine.
Step Three: Content
Logistics aside, the most important thing on your website will be the content. Anything you put on this website will be visible when people search your name.
Never post anything you wouldn’t want a potential employer to see.
With creative jobs such as writing and art, I do recommend that you think before you post any controversial content on your website.
Even if you stand behind the message, it could cause potential issues for employers.
As a writer, I have written about topics that many people might disagree with. While it can be found when you search my name, it isn’t front and centre.
Some companies don’t want their employees so closely associated with particular topics because it can be bad for their business.
Another thing to consider, especially if you are blogging, is that the quality of the content should be outstanding.
Don’t take the lazy route and publish something that you wouldn’t feel good showing to your English teacher.
It’s about quality rather than quantity. Sloppy content on your personal website reflects poorly and could cause an employer to reconsider hiring you.
Step Four: Keep it Updated
When you create a website with your information, make sure to keep it relevant. If you list your job opportunities, make sure to update them when you leave an old job and get a new one.
If you are no longer interested in keeping it up-to-date after some time, it is better to shut it down rather than keeping old content on the web.
Having a potential employer stumble across your five-year-old website is no different than looking back at old Facebook posts.
Also, make sure to always be truthful about what you post. There is a fine line between phrasing something to make it sound better and exaggerating your qualifications or experiences.
If you post something, you should expect that an employer will ask you about it.
Building a personal website to promote yourself to a potential employer is a great idea, and there are so many ways to do it.
As long as you take the time to make a plan, consider the budget, create content, and keep it updated, it could be an excellent business tool for you in the long run.
Don’t forget to include the link to your site on your LinkedIn profile, social media pages, and business cards.
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