When I talk to my college-grad nephews about their job searches, it’s clear that today’s job market is very different from the one I encountered as an entry-level business professional. Networking is still important, but personal branding is where the rubber meets the road.
Human resources departments get an average of 100 resumes for every job they post. That’s a lot of paper and a lot of grey type to read. How can an applicant stand out?
Successful job candidates have always had to find ways to differentiate themselves from the competition, even when it wasn’t called “personal branding.” But today, new tools are available—and can make a big difference in landing that interview, and a great job.
Social media can help or hurt, and a recent survey of HR professionals revealed that LinkedIn is the social media outlet they rely on most. But there’s another 21st century tool that’s getting attention in the HR department, and that’s the personal website.
Get a personal website
Personal website?
That’s right. More than two-thirds of HR professionals reported in a recent survey that a personal website provides more insight than a resume alone. More than half said that a personal website increases their interest in learning more about a candidate. Nearly one-third agreed that a personal website can provide a competitive edge.
That competitive edge is what every college grad job-seeker strives for. That’s why in today’s employment scenario, a personal website is important. It allows young job seekers to present themselves in the way they wish to be perceived.
A simple resume just can’t shape a job-seeker’s image the way a website can. A personal website expressly for potential employers to see doesn’t need to be elaborate but it definitely needs to be professional. Applicants must approach the content and design of their website from the point of view of a recruiter, thinking through what a hiring manager would like to see—or not see. Both are equally important.
The mechanics of setting up a personal website is a fairly simple process and today, there’s no better domain name that www.yournamehere.ME. Yes, the .ME domain names make perfect personal websites for job seekers—and they can be updated to stay functional throughout an entire career. I love this idea and am talking to all the young professionals in my life about it.
Here’s some helpful advice
Go here to www.domain.me to learn how to get a .ME domain name and for helpful tips on setting up a personal website. In fact, their site includes a step-by-step guide to setting up a website.
If you’d like your young professional to know more about what recruiters look for so he or she is better prepared to land that big job, they can download the entire HR professionals survey results here. It’s helpful.
Armed with this data and a personal website? Go get that job! Best of luck to your college grad: one of mine has just landed a big one!
This post was inspired and sponsored by Domain.ME, the provider of the personal URLs that end in .ME. As a company, they aim to promote thought leadership to the tech world. All thoughts and opinions, of course, are my own.
Mary says
September 23, 2015 at 9:31 amYou wrote this at the perfect time for some very special people in my life. I will definitely be passing this information along.
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Carol Cassara says
September 23, 2015 at 9:31 amI’m so glad!
Elena Peters says
September 23, 2015 at 9:39 amThis is so awesome! I’m going to spread this around. I keep telling the job seekers to be careful on their Facebook profiles but this is way better advice! Thank you!
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Carol Cassara says
September 23, 2015 at 11:43 amThis is a very proactive way to manage your job seeking image, isn’t it?
Katy Kozee says
September 23, 2015 at 10:50 amVery timely advice that I will pass on to both my son and my husband. A good portfolio is helpful even for non-digital careers.
Katy Kozee recently posted…Good for the Body and Soul: Vegetarian Baked Ziti and Eggplant and Onions
Carol Cassara says
September 23, 2015 at 11:43 amWhat I love is you can update it and keep it your entire career.
Rena McDaniel says
September 23, 2015 at 11:44 amGreat information Carol. I’ll be sharing it with all the college grads in my life!
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Carol Cassara says
September 23, 2015 at 11:01 pmI think they’ll see how worthwhile it is.
Tam Warner Minton says
September 23, 2015 at 1:07 pmI shared with my twenty somethings!
Tam Warner Minton recently posted…16 Cool Midlife Women You Should Be Following on Twitter!
Carol Cassara says
September 23, 2015 at 11:01 pmI hope they do it!
Lisha Fink says
September 23, 2015 at 2:59 pmPerfect timing for my son to start his with tales of his summer abroad!
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Carol Cassara says
September 23, 2015 at 11:02 pmWell, only if that’s the kind of job he’s getting. This is more along the lines of a website-resume.
Doreen McGettigan says
September 23, 2015 at 4:16 pmWhat a great idea and it makes so much sense! I will be sharing this with a niece and a nephew that can use all the help they can get right now.
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Carol Cassara says
September 23, 2015 at 11:02 pmHey, I’m always happy to talk to them. I do it all the time for kids!
1010ParkPlace says
September 23, 2015 at 9:34 pmWho knew, but you’re right. I wish I’d had a personal branding opportunity when I got out of college… Come to think of it, I did, but I didn’t look at that way until just this moment. I wrote regularly for Southwest Airlines Spirit Magazine, branded as a female George Plimpton who did first person adventures like landing on aircraft carriers and adrenaline pumping adventures. It got my name out there, and lots of doors opened for me. xoxox, Brenda
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Carol Cassara says
September 23, 2015 at 11:03 pmIt’s great to have a place to list your accomplishments, something more interesting than a resume!
Ruth Curran says
September 24, 2015 at 8:28 amThe personal website to get a job is a new one for me and sounds like a great idea. I know some brilliant young people in their mid to late 20’s who are in jobs that do not fit perfectly for them but are good stepping stones. It feels like this would work for them as well. Sending this to them Carol! Thanks!
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Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
September 24, 2015 at 10:39 amThis is the way of the future I think! Everyone will have their own site someday.
{Erica}EverythingMomandBaby says
September 24, 2015 at 11:38 amWow…I never would have thought to create a personal website. I think that sounds great. I guess it could/would be better than creating a Linkedin account?
Carol Cassara says
September 24, 2015 at 12:21 pmThey both have their place.
Liz Mays says
September 24, 2015 at 5:15 pmIt makes sense to grab your .me domain before someone else does, right? I like the idea of using it as a resume of sorts.
Liz Mays recently posted…Apple Pie Cider
Jasmine Watts says
September 25, 2015 at 4:18 amGreat post and love the way of presenting it..! awesome!
Jasmine Watts says
September 25, 2015 at 4:23 amSounds great!! I’m also looking to create personal website!!
Bonnie @ Living a Fit and Full Life says
September 25, 2015 at 6:45 pmGreat tips! I’ll have to save these!
Jonathan Key says
September 26, 2015 at 2:49 pmThis is a really great idea! Sounds like the wave of the future to have your own .me website!
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