A job search can make you feel invisible, especially when you’re late in your career. It can feel like the perfect employer will never find you, much less hire you. You’re lost in a sea of applicants. A powerful way to set yourself apart is with a personal website.
A simple online home for yourself apart from LinkedIn can get a hiring manager’s attention and move your name to the top of the interview list. Whether you’re currently in job search mode or thinking about being “found” for future opportunities, the personal website can be a door-opener.
Why create a personal website?
Besides being a feature that sets you apart, a personal website is the one place where you have total control. You can present yourself just the way you want to. No longer are you confined to a set of sections (such as on LinkedIn) or conventions (such as on a resume).
Your site gives you the open canvas to really demonstrate who you are and to highlight how your experience can help. After all, as someone who is mid- or late-career, your experience is a key selling point. Here you have the space to show this experience, rather than to tell about it (which a resume does better).
By having your own site, you also demonstrate your comfort in the digital world. Unfortunately, olders in the job market are often seen as lacking technical skills. Now you are signaling that you are comfortable with tech and know how to use it to your advantage.
A personal site is also an amazing opportunity to show off your personality and your personal brand. Every person on LinkedIn or any automated job application form is limited by format. Not so, with your site. You can use color, images and design to convey a sense of who you are.
Step by step
Rule number one: keep it simple. That means it should be simple to set up, simple to maintain, and simple for someone to find.
Start with a platform. If you’re already skilled at creating websites or HTML, go ahead and build out on WordPress.org or the platform of your choice. But for everyone else, it’s best to use a site-builder designed for amateurs. That doesn’t mean it will look amateurish, though. The simplest platforms offer beautiful templates and are easy to use. These include Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress.com (the simpler cousin of WordPress.org). They bundle together everything you’ll need in one package: domain, web hosting, and templates. Many web hosts like BlueHost, GoDaddy, or HostGator also offer easy site builders, though they may not be as beginner-friendly. Some other platforms like Notion offer templates (as do third-party creators), where you can set up your page without needing web hosting or a domain.
You will also need a domain, or URL, where your site will live. If you’re using a platform like Squarespace or Wix, they will provide you with that, but be aware it will include their name in your URL. However, if you have a unique name (as I do), it’s relatively easy to buy the domain that is your name (for example, www.nancybranka.com), which is called a custom domain. You can do a search here or on the platform you’ve chosen, to see if your name is available.
Lastly, you’ll need to choose a template. Sorting through templates can be time-consuming and frustrating. That’s why it’s helpful to map out before-hand exactly what content you want to include on your site. That way, as you browse you can eliminate those that just don’t work for your content buckets.
What to include
Obviously, you’ll want to include a short bio front and center on your site, as well as a photo. This is not the place you need to spell out all the details of your career. Instead, what’s your elevator speech? Anyone interested in seeing more details (you’ve hooked them!) can easily find them on another page on your site (if you post a resume there), or by clicking over to your LinkedIn profile.
Beyond your bio, you’ll want to show examples of your work. For designers, that’s pretty obvious, portfolio-style. But if you’re in another discipline you can too. Tell the story (briefly!) of one or two problems you solved. Describe the project and how you knocked everyone’s socks off. This strategy can be applied to any role, from product management to software development.
In terms of experience, this is not a place to detail your decades-long career. A description of your current responsibilities can be all you need, giving a clear picture of what you’re capable of and how that will jive with the role you’re looking for. Don’t worry much about your previous experience. LinkedIn or your resume can take care of that.
Finally, you’ll want to provide links to all the places people can learn more about you, from LinkedIn to your social media accounts.
Examples to inspire you
So, what would this personal website look like? Some great examples can serve as inspiration:
- Wix has a compilation of personal websites built on its platform. It’s a lot to sort through and some examples are for celebrities, but they can inspire you.
- This list has some great content in that they asked each site owner a few questions, including why they have a personal site and their #1 tip.
- Finally, this list is useful in that it’s specifically for job seekers and is organized by portfolio, resume, and personal branding sites.
Creating a personal website does take a little time, but that’s an investment. Your website can pay off royally by setting you apart and allowing you to really show off.