From Good to Great: Using a Personal Website to Position Yourself as a First-Choice Candidate

Create a Personal Website

In today’s competitive job market, simply having an impressive résumé and cover letter isn’t enough. A personal website can significantly enhance your professional image. According to a 2016 survey, almost two-thirds of employers use social media to research candidates. However, social media may not fully capture your professional persona. A personal website allows you to control the narrative by showcasing your skills, achievements, and personality in a more polished manner.

Tip: Use website builders like Wix, Weebly, Squarespace, or DudaOne, which offer customizable templates and easy drag-and-drop interfaces to create a professional site. Make sure your website is responsive and user-friendly across devices to ensure it leaves the right impression.

Create Visual and Engaging Content

Avoid overwhelming visitors with long blocks of text. Instead, find creative ways to communicate your message visually. For example, replace a lengthy “about me” section with a short video introducing yourself and highlighting your key skills and accomplishments. Incorporate images, infographics, and icons to break up text and make your site more visually appealing.

Pro Tip: Highlight your most important projects on a main page and provide in-depth descriptions or supporting visuals on subpages. Testimonials from colleagues or clients can also add credibility to your profile. Aim to have 3-10 engaging references on a separate page to provide hiring managers with social proof of your expertise.

Start a Blog or Vlog

Demonstrating your thought leadership through a blog or vlog can further set you apart from other candidates. Write posts that explore relevant industry topics or share insights into your profession. Keep each blog post under 1,000 words to maintain reader engagement. If writing isn’t your strength, consider creating a vlog to discuss similar topics on video.

Tip: Regularly update your blog or vlog to demonstrate that you’re actively engaged in your industry. This not only shows your expertise but also your commitment to ongoing learning.

Showcase Accomplishments and Certifications

A separate page dedicated to certifications, online courses, and professional development can bolster your profile. Whether it’s a Master’s degree or an online workshop, showcasing these accomplishments illustrates your commitment to growth and professional development.

Tip: Make this section as comprehensive as possible. While major qualifications are important, don’t overlook smaller certifications that may set you apart from other candidates in niche areas.

Make Contacting You Easy

Once a potential employer is impressed with your profile, you want to make it as simple as possible for them to contact you. Include a “Contact” page with an email form, and place an email link in the header of your website for easy access. Avoid sharing your full address or phone number online to protect your privacy.

Tip: Some employers may prefer not to review personal websites, so bring your portfolio and references on a USB drive to interviews. This allows you to provide decision-makers with a high-quality, offline version of your materials.

Consider integrating a personal website into your job search strategy; you can showcase your talents, make a lasting impression, and position yourself as the top candidate for the role.

Things to do before that big job interview in Seattle

1. Research Earnings Calls, Quarterly Reports, and Blog Posts

To truly understand a company, go beyond its homepage. Companies like Goldman Sachs and Microsoft regularly publish quarterly reports and earnings calls that offer deep insights into their financial health, business strategies, and future plans. Startups often share updates, culture, and challenges through blog posts, providing a more intimate look at their operations. Thoroughly researching these resources gives you a clearer picture of how the company is performing and where it’s headed. These details can also help you stand out during interviews by showcasing your understanding of the company’s internal workings.

Tip: Use sites like the SEC’s EDGAR database for public companies’ financial statements, and listen to earnings calls available on company investor relations pages.

2. Use Social Sweepster to Clean Your Social Media

Many employers check candidates’ social media profiles for any inappropriate content. Rather than manually scrubbing your entire profile, apps like Social Sweepster can make the process easier. It detects posts with questionable content, such as images of alcohol, profanity, or anything that might raise a red flag to a potential employer. It helps ensure your social media reflects a professional image.

Tip: Regularly monitor and update your social media presence to avoid any potential issues during your job search. If Social Sweepster isn’t available, other tools like BrandYourself also offer similar services.

3. Prepare for the “What’s Your Weakness?” Question

When asked about your weaknesses, avoid generic responses like “I’m a perfectionist.” Instead, show how you’ve worked to overcome your weakness. For example, you can highlight a time management issue and explain the steps you’ve taken, such as using a project management tool to stay on track. This approach demonstrates self-awareness and growth, qualities employers value.

Tip: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answer, showing not just what your weakness is, but how you’ve actively addressed it.

4. Brainstorm Three “PAR” Anecdotes

Interviews are memorable when you share concrete examples. Prepare three anecdotes that follow the PAR (Problem, Action, Result) format. This framework is flexible and can be tailored to answer common behavioral questions such as teamwork or conflict resolution.

Example: “We had a project running behind (Problem), so I initiated a daily stand-up meeting to better track progress (Action). As a result, we finished ahead of the extended deadline and saved the client relationship (Result).”

By preparing these anecdotes in advance, you’ll be able to adapt them to a variety of interview questions, ensuring you have compelling stories to share.

Remember these things when looking for a job

1. Invest in Learning Technical Skills

Technical and specialized skills are among the top attributes employers seek. According to surveys, job seekers commonly report that lacking technical skills is their biggest weakness. This is a critical area for improvement, as 25% of employers rank technical skills among the top skills they look for in candidates. (Atto Time, Erin)

Taking online courses to improve in areas like coding, data analysis, or software proficiency can boost your confidence and make you a stronger candidate. Despite the importance of these skills, over 40% of job seekers have never taken online training​. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning offer various affordable courses that can fill in these gaps.

Tip: Identify the specific technical skills in demand for your desired job role and invest time in upskilling.

2. Highlight Internships, Not GPA

For recent graduates, many believe that their academic performance is the key to landing a job. However, employers often prioritize experience over grades. Internships offer practical, real-world experiences that give hiring managers a clearer picture of your ability to apply knowledge. Even if your GPA is impressive, showcasing hands-on projects and tasks from internships will carry more weight in an interview​. (Erin)

Tip: On your résumé, focus more on the skills and responsibilities from internships, particularly those relevant to the job you’re applying for.

3. Prepare for a Job-Related Test

It’s common for employers to use practical assessments as part of the hiring process. In fact, 57% of employers administer tests or exercises to evaluate job candidates​. (Enterprise Apps Today) These tests might be related to the job’s technical requirements or assess problem-solving abilities. Knowing this in advance allows you to prepare and practice relevant skills, which can help reduce anxiety and improve performance.

Tip: Be sure to ask beforehand if there will be any assessments and what they will involve, so you can tailor your preparation accordingly.

By investing in technical skills, emphasizing practical experience through internships, and preparing for potential tests, you’ll be better equipped to meet the expectations of today’s job market.

Blog to get a Job in Lynnwood

Think of the word “blog” and what comes to mind? Mommy bloggers? People posting funny cat videos? Well, no more. Today’s savvy job seekers are putting their skills to the test and blogging their way to success and job opportunities. Here’s why a blog can get you your next job.

1. It’s your resume, only better: Everyone has a resume. But a blog allows you to highlight the skills on your resume, times ten. For example, if you’re a writer, you can flex your writing muscles and post examples of your creative writing. Even if you’re a tax accountant, you can write your thought-provoking opinions on some of the new tax laws or add a testimonial from a happy client. Just be sure what you write is accurate and well-supported.

2. It gives you a positive digital footprint: Whenever you apply for a job, the first thing a recruiter will do is investigate you online. Having a blog will give potential employers a fuller (and positive) picture of who you are and how you carry yourself, both personally and professionally. And unlike being tagged in an unflattering — and public — image of yourself on Facebook, your blog contains content that you can completely control to project yourself in the best light possible.

3. It helps you build a network: Employers are not only looking for employees who bring knowledge and a superior skill set to the table, but they also want someone who is well connected. So while you might have 500+ connections on LinkedIn, having a blog that has a dedicated readership shows that you know how to create — and keep — connections, both in the digital world and the real world.

4. It keeps you current — and sharp: If you’ve been scanning and searching the Internet for job postings for a while, it’s easy to let your skills slip a little. Blogging will not only keep your knowledge current, but it will also keep your skills sharp as you create cool new content for your readers on a consistent basis. It can also help you stand out as a career expert in your industry.

5. It makes you interesting to employers: When hiring managers read resumes every day, it can get really boring, really fast. If you have a blog that represents not only your skills but also (hello!) your personality, that makes you stand out more than the other seekers who submitted their resumes on fine linen watermarked paper. Suddenly, you become a person — and a possible job candidate they’ll call in for an interview.

Creating and customizing a blog makes you attractive to potential employers. It will help set you apart from other candidates and give you that added edge in finding a job.

3 Tips to kickstart your 2017 Job Search with Seattle Recruiters

1. Be Positive:

It is important to understand how difficult the job market is today, and that it is not necessarily your fault that you are out of work and having difficulty finding a new job. However, you must own your job search and start taking the necessary steps to improve the way you present yourself to potential employers. Just remember that you are not alone in this situation, and every job you get passed over for actually brings you one step closer to the one you will get.

Attitude Confidence, Motivation, and Positive Thinking

2. Stay Motivated:

It is easy to become disheartened when you have been out of work for a significant amount of time, and seeing reports in the media about high unemployment rates and benefits being cut off can make it seem like things are never going to get better. The best way to combat falling into a rut or depression is to stay active. Make a point of sending out resumes or filling out applications at least once a day, even if it’s to a job you don’t think you can get, as job seeking is a skill that needs to be practiced, just like playing the piano or lifting weights.

3. Create a Personal Marketing Plan:

Create a list of target companies and industries you want to work for, so you can channel your efforts into a more focused job search. Looking for work is a full-time job, and to increase your chances of being successful, you need to approach it that way. Researching information about the what a company does, where it fits within the industry, and what will be expected of you in the available position will aid you tremendously when you are in front of a potential employer, and show that you have the knowledge and motivation to be successful with them.

Network your way to success in Seattle

Learn How to Effectively Network

Networking is a critical skill in today’s job market, where job opportunities are increasingly scarce and competition is higher than ever. To succeed in your job search, relying solely on sending out resumes or browsing job boards may not be enough. Networking can help you tap into the “hidden job market”—positions that are never publicly advertised but are filled through personal connections and referrals.

1. Expand Your Network

Engage with people in various industries, even those outside your field. Job seeker support groups, continuing education courses, or unemployment seminars provide excellent opportunities to meet others in a similar situation. Building relationships with people from diverse professional backgrounds increases your chances of hearing about job openings or meeting someone who can refer you to a position.

Tip: Don’t underestimate the value of connections outside your field. Even if someone isn’t directly involved in your industry, they may have contacts or information that can lead you to new opportunities.

2. Maintain and Nurture Relationships

Networking is a two-way street. Once you’ve established a connection, stay in touch with the people you’ve met. If you land a job, continue to offer assistance to others in your network, as this strengthens your professional relationships and builds goodwill for the future. A solid network can provide support throughout your career, not just during your job search.

3. Tap Into the Hidden Job Market

Research shows that up to 70-80% of jobs are part of the hidden job market, filled through referrals and personal connections rather than public postings. Effective networking increases your access to these opportunities, helping you bypass the competition in public job searches. Attending networking events, leveraging LinkedIn connections, or joining industry-specific groups can significantly increase your chances of finding these hidden roles.

Tip: Regularly attend industry meetups, virtual networking events, or professional association meetings to keep your network strong and stay updated on unadvertised job openings.

Mastering the art of networking can help you access more job opportunities, increase your professional visibility, and build lasting relationships that support your career development over time.

Non Verbal Cues for Successful Job interviews in Seattle

Practice Good Nonverbal Communication

The first impression you make is often nonverbal. Demonstrating confidence through body language is crucial, which includes standing tall, making eye contact, and offering a firm handshake. These subtle cues can signal your self-assurance and professionalism right from the start, setting the tone for the rest of the interview.

Dress Appropriately for the Job or Company

Regardless of the company’s dress code, you should dress to impress in an interview. Research the company’s culture in advance to determine whether a suit or business casual attire is appropriate. Even if the company has a casual work environment, you should always aim to appear well-groomed and professional during the interview.

Tip: When in doubt, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed for a job interview.

Listen Actively

Communication is a two-way street. While answering questions is key, paying attention to what your interviewer is saying—both verbally and nonverbally—is just as important. Listening carefully can help you pick up on valuable information about the company, the role, and the interviewer’s expectations.

Pro Tip: Nod or use short verbal acknowledgments to show you’re engaged and understand what is being discussed.

Avoid Talking Too Much

Keep your answers concise and focused. Rambling can indicate a lack of preparation, and you might accidentally share irrelevant or negative information. Before your interview, carefully review the job description and prepare your answers based on the qualifications the role requires. This will help you stay on point.

Maintain Professional Boundaries

While it’s important to come across as friendly and enthusiastic, remember that the interview is a formal business meeting. Avoid being overly familiar or casual, and match the tone set by the interviewer. Showing enthusiasm for the job is great, but maintain a respectful distance and professional demeanor.

By focusing on these key elements, you can ensure that you make a strong, positive impression during your interview, increasing your chances of landing the job.

5 Free job search resources for job hunters in Bellevue

  1. Emurse.com: This is my favorite place to put a resume online, nothing more, nothing less.  Get your paper resume out and simply fill in the blanks.  Your online resume will be accessible from a URL like jones.emurse.com.
  2. LinkedIn.com: I usually only recommend upgrading for people who will be searching a lot and need to reach out to the people they find.  This might describe you, but if not, just get the free version.  YOU HAVE TO BE ON LINKEDIN.  PERIOD.
  3. Job-hunt.org: This site has a tone of stuff, and can be overwhelming to navigate, but two gems that you can’t miss.  First, Deb Dib’s article on LinkedIn for the executive job seeker.   Second, when to find a local face-to-face network meeting, go to Job-hunt.org and look to see what they have listed there.
  4. Twellow.com: Go to Twellow.com (which is like the “yellow pages of Twitter”) and search for people in your city, state, profession or industry.  You’ll find influencers who are probably well-networked – these are people who you want to develop relationships with.
  5. Indeed.com: Yup, a job board, but not for job board’s sake.  Use Indeed to do COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH.  Find out what companies are hiring, what your target companies competition is doing, what job titles look like, etc.  Ignore the idea of applying for jobs using job boards and think about this as a rich database research tool

Job Search Strategies for Bellevue

Be Patient and Strategic, Not Impulsive and Desperate

Heading into your job search without clear intentions is like going grocery shopping parched and famished – and, as we all know, nothing good ever comes from shopping on an empty stomach. (If you don’t know, now you know.) Instead, first construct a plan that incorporates your skills, your expectations, and your short- and long-term career goals.

Be sure to take a day or two mapping out a career plan that reflects what you’re good at and where you want to be. This is the time to be realistic about your qualifications, experience, and future. By doing so, you are less likely to make the all-too-common mistake of being a desperate, needy candidate who will take any old job that’s thrown his way. Instead, focus on finding a career that aligns with your wants and needs, both professionally and personally, and head into your job hunt with the mentality that you’re searching for a dream career, not a paycheck.

Focus on Quality Over Quantity

Feeding off of the whole “don’t be desperate and impulsive” thing, it’s crucial to value quality over quantity when it comes to finding a lasting and fulfilling career. Far too many candidates make the mistake of assuming that casting a wide net when applying for any and all available jobs is the way to go; however, this mentality couldn’t be more incorrect. Applying to tons of jobs blindly because you figure you’re bound to land one is reckless and a great way to wind up back in the job-hunting world before you know it. It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting an employer – any employer, really – to call you back for a job interview because any job is better than no job, right? Well, not really.

Sometimes in life, beggars can’t be choosers. Of course, if you’re in a situation where you need to earn a paycheck to keep a roof over your family’s head and food in their bellies, then, by all means, go out and earn a living – there’s no shame in that whatsoever. But focus your long-term plans on building the career you want, and targeting opportunities appropriately.

 

5 Etiquette Tips for your next job in Redmond

1. Be polite. Whether it’s a networking event, job fair, or other career-related event, showcase your inner strengths by patiently waiting your turn to speak with recruiters or hiring managers, properly shake hands (dry, firm, one-handed shake), and address the each person by his or her title (Dr., Ms., Mr.) and last name (unless the event is extremely informal — then you can use first names). There are times in job-hunting in which assertiveness is important (to demonstrate your interest in the job), but there is no excuse for not being polite.

2. Dress for the occasion. For job-search events in most professions, the suit is the expected attire — and especially for the job interview. You can do your research and determine the level of attire you need, but if you can’t, then it’s always much better to dress above than dress below.

3. Be punctual. One of the biggest etiquette mistakes a job-seeker can make is arriving late. Whether you’re simply going cross town or driving a great distance, always know the route you’re going to take, take a practice run (if possible), and build in extra time for getting lost, street closures, and accidents. Finally, don’t overstay your welcome — even if your return flight is hours away; when the interviews are done, say your thank-yous and leave.

4. Learn to listen. While a great deal of time is spent helping job-seekers prepare great job-search related communication tools — elevator speeches and interview responses — the art of listening is often overlooked. Ignoring what a recruiter or a network contact is saying so that you can simply throw in another plug for yourself is simply rude.

5. Be knowledgeable. Appearing ignorant — or disinterested — about a prospective employer is a major lapse in job-search etiquette. By showcasing your knowledge of the employer (and even the interviewer), you demonstrate how serious you are about the opportunity while also gaining serious etiquette points. Preparation is a key skill to learn.