Not only has the advent of technology launched us into a whole new world of endless opportunities, but it has also created a pattern that now helps individuals build careers and explores virtual opportunities.
How do you become a part of this uprising world of immense benefits? Well. It’s simple!
You need to own a personal profile website.
Gone are those days when websites are designed by companies and corporate organizations alone. These days, having a professional profile website is key in gaining global visibility and optimizing virtual opportunities.
It doesn't matter whether you are a job seeker looking to get employed by your dream company or you are a professional yearning to be on top of their career game. Are you a business owner who wishes to establish their online presence or a student who wants to kick off early in life? Regardless of who you are, you need a personal profile website.
In this blog, we will discuss all you need to know on building your profile website, the benefits, and what you should include in your page.
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Why do you need a website?
You might be thinking, "why do I need a personal profile website? I don't even own a business!"
That may be true! But the reality is that you need a personal portfolio whether you are a business owner or a personal brand. It’s a great way to pitch your potential and skills to your prospective recruiter or client, even when you’re not there. A personal profile website is something that gives whoever wants to hire you or needs your services the first impression that you are the best candidate for the job - even when he/she hasn't seen you yet. Still not convinced?
Here are some reasons why you should have a professional personal profile website:
The world is fast and completely digital.
If not for anything, the world is gradually tilting to a place of total reliance on technology. There is virtually nothing that one can't do online these days. With new technology springing up almost every minute, it can only get better. Companies are recruiting online, and more people are getting digital jobs and working remotely. Most of the business transactions are also done online. Everyone wants a space in the virtual world. So, why not maximize the opportunity and hop on the train?
It distinguishes you from the crowd.
It's a competitive world out there, and Darwin's evolutionary theory of "survival of the fittest" couldn't be more accurate than now. While everyone is submitting stacks and piles of paper CVs that are likely not even tailored to the job requirements, you impress your prospective employer by turning in a tailor-made application that puts you ahead of other applicants. Do you see? It sets you apart from the crowd and makes you stand out.
It makes it easy to find you.
Imagine what happens when someone googles your name or business name and finds your beautiful, easy-to-navigate, and personal website containing all they need to know about you? Do you know what they say about letting your work announce you? Exactly!
Isn't that amazing? Of course, it is!
What should you include on your website?
By now, I am sure you have enough convincing reasons to own a personal profile website if you don't have one. Or, optimize your already existing ones. But you still don't seem to capture how you should go about creating one entirely. We can relate!
The truth is, it's not enough to own a personal portfolio online. What is more important is what to include, the general outlook, and how to utilize it for maximum results and feedback. So, let's get to it. What should you include on your website as a job seeker?
Your Bio
Your Bio contains the answers to the "tell me about yourself" question that prospective employers ask during interviews. It's the section of your profile website where you pitch yourself. It's not time to start recounting how much of a rough patch it has been over the years. Instead, it's the apt moment to pitch your skillset, qualifications, and abilities to your prospective employer.
Your Bio should come in included on the "About me" page. Let it highlight your education, professional skills, work experience. If you don't have any significant work experience yet, think of those times you did voluntary work in college, community development projects, or summer jobs you once did and desirably pitched them).
Make your bio less tedious but rather engaging and elaborate. Talk about your pastimes too, and other things you enjoy doing outside of your profession. You could also upload a creative resume that sums up your career path in written form. If you don’t know how to create a resume, you can check some personal website resume examples online for inspiration.
A professional picture of yourself
It is not just a random selfie you took on one of those days, but a professional picture with your head well-positioned and shows your face to your neck. Most times, it is advisable to use your LinkedIn profile picture. While doing this does not guarantee you a job from the hiring manager, it is an excellent way to match your visuals to your skills and qualifications. It also gives your website a touch of professionalism. It is perfect for a personal profile website.
Include samples of your work
Visual and graphic artists like graphic designers, photographers, or people who can present pictorial evidence of what they do will benefit the most from this one. However, even as a person whose work is more of service provision that can't be photographed or documented, you can talk about your work and reference tangible achievements you have made in your career as an individual or a team member.
You don't have to talk about everything you have done in your career journey or upload every work you have done. Otherwise, you will turn your website into a dumpsite. Be sure to upload only your best jobs.
Testimonials/Recommendations
What other way to get credibility from your prospective employer(s), if not through testimonies and recommendations from people you have worked with professionally? Request for assessment from people you have worked with. Tell them to give their honest reviews about who you are. Most times, it comes in the form of a quote.
The easiest way to do this is to connect with them on LinkedIn and ask them to leave their thoughts about your work ethics, value, and contribution on your LinkedIn profile. It will be easier to link it to your website or redirect your employer to see it.
Contact Information
After every advertisement/marketing, there should be a call-to-action. You should definitely leave your contact information on your website. It should contain your direct line, mail, or links to all your professional platforms.
By now, you will know that one primary goal of a personal profile website design is to sell you to your prospective employer or someone who will likely need your service. That is why you should make it a professional profile website that does all the talking on your behalf.
Some Personal Portfolios Examples to take Inspiration from
Image from Jacob Tomas Website
Image from Julianne Feir Website
Personal Resume Websites
This is where the bulk of the work lies, isn't it? Laying out your site, designing the user interface, choosing the right colors, and creating a copy that perfectly represents your personal brand looks like a Herculean task already. But not to worry!
One of the easiest ways to get it right is to use a website building platform. And your stunning personal profile website will be up and running in no time. You can also check for some professional personal website examples online to get inspiration on getting done or even making significant improvements.
The smartest way to get your personal resume website done is to use Strikingly. There are tons of top-notch personal profile websites that you can get done in a few easy-to-follow and DIY steps.
How to build a professional personal website with Strikingly?
Strikingly is an easy-to-navigate website where you can create your website without breaking a sweat. To get started and access all the fantastic features on the website, you need to get registered. It will only take a matter of minutes, and you are done. You will provide your name, create a password and input your email address.
Once you have logged in with your details, it takes you to many templates available to use. You can choose from the templates, the one that best describes your brand. Strikingly templates are custom-made and available for both individuals and organizations.
Now that you have a template, the next thing is to make it a desirable professional website design. You can edit the personal profile website template to fit your business or personal goals.
That's not all! You can proceed to the "Add section" menu and add new sections that you want to see on your website. You can include all features and set up personal websites design like an actual pro.
With our PRO service, you can even access more and optimize the vast array of opportunities our virtual world provides. Strikingly launches you into a world of limitless benefits that can help you achieve your dreams and long-term goals. Ready to be an outstanding 21st-century brand? Start by creating an account with Strikingly today.
