The world is moving fast, and it’s becoming increasingly common for people to be invited to interviews (and even offered jobs) through non-traditional routes. Employers may take note of potential applicants from their social media followings and the content they post online - even the most casual Instagram profile can easily become a public portfolio of work for companies to browse. Don’t get overwhelmed though - you can easily increase your own online presence, and the first step is creating a killer website that showcases you and your work. This will help you to score interviews, sell yourself, and never feel like you’re getting left behind.
Hosting
The fun part of creating a website may be the design and content of it, but one of the most important parts is hosting decisions. For beginners, there are plenty of services out there that will both host your website and provide design templates, such as Squarespace or Weebly - these are perfect for non-coders as the interface is relatively simple. However, if you’re looking to go more advanced, you can use software such as Adobe Dreamweaver to create your own website from scratch, then host privately online. You may want to investigate cheap vps, especially if you want your website to contain large amounts of data or files for visitors to download.
Content
This is where your website will get you noticed. The best content is that which immediately grabs onto someone’s attention and doesn’t let it go, whether that’s through articles, videos, or images. If you can style your website to have an informative edge, and teach others about your way of working or industry, this can be a great way to demonstrate your own skills and knowledge. Your content should never be dry or boring, so be sure to find ways to keep it accessible. Remember, even if you work in tech, the person recruiting you may not understand your particular area, and it’s that person you want to entice.
Design and Layout
Great content is worth nothing unless it’s well laid-out and easily navigable. Your design should be crisp and attractive, and your layout easy to use. The best way to do this is to keep everything as simple as possible - now is not the time to try out that experimental style you’ve been thinking about! Before you publish your website, send it to a few friends, and ask for feedback on if they managed to find their way around easily.
Social Links
A website is a fantastic resource to showcase your work and yourself; however, if you’re looking to gain traction and awareness of what you do, there’s no better channel than social media. Link to your website from your Twitter, keep posting fun images on your Instagram, and always keep your LinkedIn up to date. These platforms form an integral part of your online image that might make the difference between receiving another rejection letter, or an invitation to interview. Make sure you link to all your social media platforms at the foot of your website, enabling employers to truly get to know you.