Finding the right things to put on your personal website can be confusing. Having a strong online presence is important for attracting hiring managers. This article will guide you through six essential elements to include, making your site memorable and effective.
Ready to make your site stand out?
Importance of Having a Personal Website
Good web design is essential if you want your personal website to stand out to employers. It acts as your space on the internet, showcasing who you are.
Provides an online presence for hiring managers
Hiring managers often search online for potential candidates. Your personal website can help them find you quickly. It shows who you are, what you do, and your goals clearly. Make this information easy to access on the homepage or “about” page.
Highlight companies you’ve worked for and key projects. Show your professional strengths with a personal touch. This makes hiring managers more likely to reach out and consider you for roles.
A well-designed website stands out in today’s digital world.
Serves as “real estate on the web”
Your personal website is your space on the internet. It displays who you are and what you do. Think of it as online “real estate.” Potential employers can find everything they need to know about you in one place.
Having a strong web presence can boost your career. Even with minimal content, a well-designed site helps. Use this space wisely to show off your skills and achievements clearly. This makes it easier for hiring managers to see why they should choose you over others.
What to Include on Your Personal Website
Make your site engaging and professional. Show off what makes you unique and skilled.
Your Elevator Pitch
Your elevator pitch is a quick summary of who you are and what you do. Keep it to one or two sentences. Focus on your skills, experience, and career goals.
I help design memorable websites that stand out.
This short statement should be at the top of your personal website. It grabs attention and tells visitors why they should care about you.
Examples of Your Best Work
Include your best work on your personal website – refer to the Memorable Website Design Guide for inspiration. Showcasing your top projects can impress visitors and potential employers.
- Top Projects: Display 2-3 of your top projects. These could be successful campaigns, books, or articles. Marketers can show campaigns or events they led.
- Published Articles: Writers should include links to published articles or books. This shows credibility and expertise in writing.
- Visual Portfolio: Use high-quality images of your work. Make sure the pictures are clear and professional.
- Client Work: Include examples of freelance or client work you have done. Highlight results and feedback from clients.
- Awards and Honors: Showcase any awards or recognitions you’ve received for your work.
- Case Studies: Add detailed case studies of significant projects. Explain the goals, process, and outcomes clearly.
Putting these elements on your site helps display your skills effectively!
Where You Are Around the Web
Now that you’ve shown your best work, let’s talk about where people can find you online. This makes it easy for visitors to see more of you.
- LinkedIn: Link to your LinkedIn profile. Many hiring managers use LinkedIn to check backgrounds. Ensure it is up-to-date.
- Twitter: Link to your Twitter account. Share professional tweets and engage with your industry. Avoid personal rants.
- GitHub: If you are a developer, link to GitHub. Show code samples and projects here.
- Behance: For designers, link to Behance. Showcase your design projects and get feedback from the community.
- Other Social Media Profiles: Add links to other relevant profiles like Instagram for photographers or YouTube for video creators. Keep them professional.
- Email Address: Provide a way for people to contact you directly. Use a simple and professional email address.
Make sure all these links are working and lead visitors to active, professional pages.
Professional Blog
A professional blog on your personal website shows off your skills and knowledge. Aim to post updates two to three times each month. Share about current projects, industry trends, or helpful tips.
This keeps your site fresh and engaging.
Use pre-made ideas or resources if you get stuck. A well-maintained blog makes your web design process look polished. It builds trust with hiring managers who visit your site too.
Testimonials
Testimonials can highlight your professional skills. Seek specific feedback to emphasize particular abilities.
- Highlight Skills: Good testimonials point out your key strengths. They show what you can do well.
- Be Specific: Ask for detailed feedback. It should mention exact skills or projects.
- Add Credibility: Use names and titles of people giving testimonials. This adds trust.
- Showcase Variety: Include testimonials from different sources. These could be clients, bosses, or co-workers.
- Update Regularly: Keep adding fresh testimonials. This shows you are active and current.
- Filter Quality: Avoid vague ones that lack detail. Choose those that give clear and strong praise.
These tips will help make your personal website more appealing to hiring managers during the process of designing a website.
Visual Representation
Create a simple personal logo. This can be just your initials or a small icon related to your work. It helps people recall you. Use high-quality images on your site. A professional headshot is necessary.
Design icons or infographics that highlight your achievements. Visuals make it easier for visitors to understand what you have done quickly. These elements keep the site interesting and engaging, leading readers smoothly into the next topic about what to avoid on your website.
What to Avoid on Your Personal Website
Avoid cluttering your site with too much information. Keep the focus sharp and relevant so visitors can understand you quickly.
Your Life Story
Sharing your life story is not necessary for a personal website. It can distract from your skills and achievements. Keep information concise and relevant to your career or goals.
Stick to professional highlights that show what you can do. Mention major milestones but avoid long, detailed descriptions of every job ever held. Maximize space with key points about important roles or projects related to the field you’re in now.
Every Piece of Work You’ve Ever Done
Do not include every piece of work you’ve ever done. Showcase only your top projects. Highlighting too much can overwhelm potential employers and hurt your chances.
Focus on quality over quantity. Share the pieces that show your skills best. Avoid works in progress that you wouldn’t submit to an employer. This way, hiring managers get a clear view of what you can do at your best.
Inactive or Unprofessional Links
Inactive or unprofessional links can hurt your website. Links that don’t work make you look careless. Always check that all links on your website are active and lead to professional content.
Stay away from linking to personal social media pages or any unprofessional sites. Unrelated or personal content distracts visitors. Make sure every link adds value and reflects well on you.
Unrelated Links
Never include unrelated links on your personal website. They make you look unprofessional. For example, do not add a link to your personal Pinterest account unless it’s relevant to your job.
Focus only on work-related content.
Unrelated links can confuse visitors and clutter the site. Hiring managers might think you’re distracted or unfocused if they see these links. Keep your website neat and professional for the best impression.
Outdated Blog
Unrelated links can be a distraction, but an outdated blog is even worse. A blog that hasn’t been updated in over two years looks bad. It makes your site seem old and forgotten. Visitors might think you don’t care about your website.
This can hurt your chances with hiring managers who visit your site. Keep content current to keep it relevant and fresh.
Vague Testimonials
Vague testimonials can hurt your personal website. Phrases like “she’s great!” do not help. They sound fake and provide no real info about your skills.
Get reviews that detail your work, strengths, and how you helped others. This gives hiring managers a clear picture of what you can do. Aim for honest feedback that highlights specific achievements or traits.
Low-Quality Graphics
– Vague Testimonials
Testimonials should be clear and specific. Avoid vague statements like “great worker” or “very good”. These don’t tell much about you.
– Low-Quality Graphics
Low-quality graphics make your site look bad. Use high-quality images and designs. Hire a designer if needed. Good visuals create a strong first impression. Bad ones can turn people away fast from your site.
Conclusion
Create a personal website that showcases your best self. Add an elevator pitch and your top work examples. Link to your professional profiles and write a blog about your industry. Include high-quality visuals to make it look great.
HUEMOR is an award-winning web design agency with proven track record of designing impeccable WordPress and Shopify websites.
Also Read: Why Search Is Becoming More Personalized: Strategies to Tailor Your SEO Approach
