for career
The Homepage as Business Card
Used in the right way, the own homepage can be a meaningful tool and addition to your application. It can be used in addition to your e-mail- or online-application, or even to your normal application by paper.
Especially for creative and IT jobs the own homepage can be very interesting. You may want to show work samples or point out references by practical examples. Also, companies in theses fields are more open for this kind of novel forms of applications.
You can round off your application with your own homepage. However, it will not be sufficient as a stand-alone application. Do applicants really believe that decision makers log on to a password protected website to download a CV?
Supply arguments for the motivation of the application
A web site can not really be integrated in the selection process for applicants in companies. But, an additional link to your own web site may complete the otherwise perfect application. Please note that it only makes sense if you can provide additional or complementing information, or maybe further arguments about your motivation for this application.
Is the own web site then a rather unimportant tool? No, you use the own web site as an innovative instrument of modern self marketing:
– You can not only place a link in your cover letter of an application, but also mention it very elegant in a phone call or during networking activities.
– Make use of these opportunities and motivate your partner in a conversation to have a look at your website: "On my web site under www.myhomepage.com you can find more information about me", or "You can check out some of my references . ..", or "You can find a short introduction as video stream"
– If you are convincing on the telephone, you will never find a better opportunity during the application process to point to your own web site as a target oriented application tool.
World wide available and accessible
The own web site as application tool is world-wide available business card. Do underestimate the power of a personal web site
Do not only use your web site in the context of an application process. As online business card your site can be a world wide, multimedia communication platform, an instrument of innovative self presentation. Do not underestimate this application strategy.
More and more jobs get offered through networks. Make use of this opportunity. Distribute your business card with a link to your personal web site to friends and business partners. Also, always hand out two business cards - one for the person you are talking to and one which they can pass on with a recommendation. Mid- to long-term this behaviour may open up interesting perspectives.
How suitable is free web space for personal homepages - especially for applications?
• Obviously you can go this way and create a web site with one of the providers who offer free web space. However, DO NOT use web addresses with funny fantasy names - such unprofessional are not good for serious applications. On top you often find lots of adverts of other companies on your site which is very destructive.
• Make a decision for a professional version. Invest a little money and create your web site on your OWN Internet address (domain).
Content versus design
Sometimes people try to impress with the design of the website and neglect the contents.
But, it is more important to have a clean structure on your site. This way it is easy for every visitor to navigate your site, and they get information quickly in order to find what they are looking for.
The structure of your web site
– Short Introduction: Personal data / contact information / What do you do? / What are your qualifications, competencies and strength? / What position you are looking for?
– CV
– References, certificates and other important documents
– Depending on job type - references and/or work samples
– Description of your personal goals for your professional career
Protection
Protect your web site, or at least confidential information - in a password protected area so that not everybody can access it.
It might not shed a good light on you if your current boss finds out that you are looking for another job . . .
Apart from a password protected area should your website not make use of special Plug-Ins which may be required for some of your contents. This is too complicated and may put visitors off. Make it as easy as possible to use and access. The contents you present should be as close as possible to any other print media.