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| There are a slew of programs online that job-seekers can use to build personal Web sites. |
Even though the numbers have improved, there are still a lot of people looking for work these days.
But the newest way to get your name out there may be right at your fingertips.
Beyond social networking sites, people are creating personal Web sites to job search. Will Lindow is one of them.
After years in the high paced world of advertising, Lindow decided to change his tune.
“I knew that I needed to record music,” he said. “Play music.”
Will wanted to re-invent himself and a paper resume just wouldn’t cut it.
So he built WillLindow.com and packed it with things like an in-depth bio, pictures and snippets of his music.
“Anybody can be on LinkedIn and anybody can be on Facebook, but if you can create this other medium it’s a little bit, you know, more elaborate,” he said.
Building and browsing personal Web sites is the latest way to enhance your personal “brand.”
“It gives you an advantage over your competition,” said Bob Kustka, workplace productivity expert. “You can create an image, a messaging, that your competition may not be able to create.”
According to CNET.com, there are a slew of do-it-yourself programs available online from companies wanting to host your site. Some are free, if you don’t mind advertisements. Others, like Wix.com, charge a small monthly fee and promise it’s easy.
“You simply drag and drop elements into the editing environment and once you’ve created your own Web site, you simply go and publish it,” said Allon Bloch, CEO at Wix.com.
Lindow published his site using Wix.
“You can pull on, you know, text blocks,” he said. “You can import your own pictures. You can pick a media player.”
“You can use stuff from YouTube and Flickr,” said Allon Bloch. “You can use your own videos and animation.”
Before you start, think about your target audience. Design something that will be attractive to them.
“You want to make sure that what you have up there isn’t just what you like,” Kustka said. “That the imagery you’re putting on, the use of the language, the graphics, are going to have a positive impact on your prospective employer.”
“You can create linkages using other social networks such as LinkedIn, MySpace, Facebook, to link back to what’s on your personal Web site,” Kustka said.
By Greg Copeland / KING 5 News
August 18, 2009
source: king5.com