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 are
my own.
Both of our kids graduated college in the past three years and, despite the endless unsolicited career advice my husband and I gave them, we somehow overlooked the most obvious job-seeking tip of all: get a personal website. Not a blog, but a place to show off their resume, their experience, their interests.
Duh.
Considering I have this site and my husband has his own site, this should have been a no-brainer yet it never dawned on us until we read a recent study conducted by Domain.ME that a personal website could be an effective tool for job seekers.
In this fascinating study, Domain.ME surveyed more than 300 human resources professionals, and discovered that they’re more likely to hire someone who has a personal site. Considering that they receive about 100 applications for every position, every advantage helps.
In fact, here are a few findings that should have all job seekers registering their domain names right now.
* 67% of HR professionals surveyed claim that a personal website provides more insight than a resume alone. This makes sense because it allows for more description, photos, personality. There’s only so much space on a resume to show who you are.
* When it comes to using social media for screening candidates, HR professionals rely most on LinkedIn. Knowing this, shouldn’t you have a link you can send potential employers to?
* 60% of HR professionals surveyed believe that a personal website makes a positive, professional impression. They say it demonstrates traits like creativity and ambition, and shows marketing savvy and an awareness of branding.
Plus, since most employers check out candidates’ online presence, wouldn’t you rather they visit your professional site rather than your Facebook page?
Honestly, after reading this US Survey: HR Professionals’ Recruiting Habits & Trends ebook — which you should, too — I’m convinced everyone should have their own site. In fact, I believe one day everyone will.
So, whether your child is getting ready for college, recently graduated or is still looking for a job — the National Center for Educational Statistics reports another 2.8 million college graduates joined the ranks of job seekers this spring — point them to Domain.ME.
Not only will having their own site empower them and give them confidence; as the statistics prove, it just might land them a job.
Interesting facts. Son is in 10th grade but is already working on college and is considering an engineering internship next summer. This sounds like something he may want to do to start showing people his good side.
Exactly. Always best to start early!
My son is a bit too young to have his site, but its something for us to look into for when he’s older.
I’m a big believer in this and tell my students and former students this all the time!
Having a website (of any sort) is also a great creative outlet. It’s a great way to learn more about design and coding too.
I think this is so important. As soon as my daughter is old enough I want her to have one for herself.
I’ve never thought of having a personal website for hiring purposes but that’s a great idea! You could showcase your resume, a work portfolio….
Since most kids are very techie these days, I think this is a great way for them to make a little extra money. I’m going to look into this for my son.
Ah, what a great idea. My kids are very young and don’t even know what websites are.. yet.. but it’s never too early to plan something so important.
I think this is a great idea.Gone are the days of paper resumes! It’s really smart to have a digital way to present yourself to potential employers!
Know what’s funny? I just told my son today that he needs his own site. I’ll have to look into this for him.
What an interesting thought, especially for my high school student who has time to cultivate the content. Let me hop over and secure his URL!
This is an awesome idea now more than ever. Having a web presence makes a big difference.
My son is not into social media at all while my daughter loves it. I agree it’s important to have a web presence. I think I’ve had the best success with LinkedIn for sure.
I know I’m older but my blog has secured jobs for me before. As long as children are monitored it can be a great employment tool
It does help to have a site. And it’s a fun way to help show who you are to others.
These are wonderful points. My boys are still young, but certainly something to keep in mind.
I think this is a great idea. I have a personal website that I used as a resume. It’s great for writing samples. When you think about it, everything is paperless, so why not?
I have a niece who just graduated from college. She is not working, yet, so I think this is a good idea. Thanks for sharing this.
So true. Better for the potential employers to find the professional site rather than the not so professional site.
That’s a great idea. You can definitely convey more of who you are and your skills with a website instead of a resume! What a great tool.
I agree that in these times a personal website would be so much better than a traditional resume. I’ve seen Domain Me on a few platforms and will definitely check them out
I’ve seen a lot of budding artists and writers display their work on their own sites. I think it’s a nice addition to a resume, especially if you are creative with it.
I could not agree more. I have a 17 yr old in my blogging group making like $200 a month in affiliate sales. It’s awesome. He started at 15, he’s got a Halloween blog so I suspect he is going to make thousands these next couple months – at 17! Love that kid. I need to get my teen up and running.
This is so true! I’ve considered purchasing my son’s name until he needs it one day. I’ve had my personal domain for years, and it was the first thing I updated when I was job searching.
This is a really great idea. I need to do this for my son he will be starting college soon.
My daughter is a hairstylist and I have never thought to recommend a personal website for her. Brilliant idea!
What a great way for the kids to share with friends and family.
I think they are still a little young but will keep this in mind for when they are a little older.
It really does make sense. My husband does a lot of online research for potential employees. This would help them put their best face forward effortlessly for future employers.
What a wonderful way to get your resume out and credentials. Jobs are so hard to come by these days, this sounds very helpful!
I think this is such a fabulous idea and one that I wish that my kids would have done out of college. I am going to make sure I pass this info on to some of my nieces and nephews.
Those are some interesting facts! I never even thought about having a site when looking for a job. How the working world has changed 🙂
Pretty soon resumes will be a thing of the past and personal websites will be the way in which job seekers tell others about their skills.
My kiddos are all still a bit too young but this is a fantastic idea. I wouldn’t ever think to do that either but it’s pretty genius!
I can see this especially useful for artists of all kinds not just kids!
I totally agree!
That’s actually really interesting I wouldn’t have thought having a personal site would make so much of a difference.
My girls have been wanting to start something online. This would be perfect for them.