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You’ve probably already heard about personal websites for the job search and thought to yourself, But I don’t know how to build a website, and I don’t know what to put on such a site. And also, is it worth the effort?
It’s so worth it!
Why? Because it makes you stand out from the masses. Very few people try to create a personal website for their job search. Therefore, it’s an excellent method to distinguish yourself and demonstrate to potential employers your willingness to exceed expectations.
A personal website also has the advantage of sharing much more content than you can include in a resume or cover letter. You can give a 360-degree view of who you are and what you have done. That doesn’t mean you must upload everything you’ve ever done, but you can give a more comprehensive picture of who you are.
You’re not limited to two pages like on the resume. Apart from your main page, where you present your overview, you can set up several subpages to give more details about your experience.
The most important thing is that it needs to be a personal website. It needs to reflect you as a person. So, a short personal introduction on the landing page is a must. You need at least a few lines that sum up who you are and how you can add value to the company.
This is slightly longer, like your elevator pitch: What have you done, what do you enjoy about work, and why are you the right person for them? It is very important to be authentic and give them a glimpse of who you are. Focus primarily on your motivation for a specific job or industry. You need to instill a sense of passion and commitment in them. The best way to show this is with a short introduction video.
Really, a video? Yes, it’s a video. Videos are the best way to show an employer who you are. It’s a great chance to show you are motivated, curious, confident, open, and resourceful.
Another situation where a video can be useful is when you find it challenging to get across in writing who you are and why you are motivated. I once had a client who was precisely in this kind of situation.
She was more than qualified for the position but couldn’t get it across on paper. She said she knew employers find her very good in person, but they don’t bite when they see her resume. A video can support your application if you’re unwilling to invest in a professional resume writer to fix that.
Another good example is if you are applying in the creative industry or for a startup. A video provides an opportunity to demonstrate your innovative thinking and independence from conventional job application methods.
Now, you may be hesitant to create a video. I get that. Most of us don’t like to hear our voices or what we look like on video. Let me assure you: that’s just a matter of practice. The first video you do will be horrible. So, there will be the second, the third, the fourth… It would be best if you did a few of them until you figure out what you’ll say and how you’ll say it.
I never write down what I want to say in my videos for Instagram or my website because I know I tend to write slightly differently than I speak. Writing down bullet points and then talking freely feels more natural. So just be patient with yourself and practice. You’ll see, you’ll improve quickly.
Once you have the content figured out, you must consider clothing, background, sound, and lighting. Make sure you’re wearing a business outfit. This is your job application, so it needs to have a business touch. Then, choose a neutral or tidy background, like a clean living room.
You don’t need fancy camera equipment to record a good video. Most phones or tablets have pretty decent cameras with good sound quality. Just ensure there are no loud background noises and the lighting is good. There shouldn’t be big shadows on your face and no overly shiny spots, either. Remember that a bit of powder helps shiny skin again.
That’s no excuse anymore. With platforms like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and many others, it is straightforward to create a website. If you’re unsure where to start, look for examples online to find inspiration.
You don’t need any technical knowledge, and you don’t need to know how to code. You don’t need to be creative, either. There are stunning designs available that you can easily customize by changing the colors to reflect your personality. Anyone can do it.
So, you see, a personal website is a great platform to introduce yourself to new employers, and it’s not that hard to set up. You must invest a few days to find the right hosting platform, create the content, and customize the template. It’s a bit of work, but it’s worth the effort.
