Create a Website to Attract Recruiters
Create a Website to Attract Recruiters and Talent Specialists
Make it Easy for Recruiters to Find You
If you are unemployed or unhappy in your current role and are looking for a new opportunity, you need to create a path that will help recruiters and staffing agents find you online. Your resume and personal website can be set up as a passive way to draw recruiters' attention to you.
The path is a digital footprint that includes information about your work history, job skills, and the potential you can add to an organization. There are several steps to accomplish this task, and it will take time, but your effort will pay off.
One of the first things you should do is update your resume and ensure that keywords related to the jobs you have done, and the job you want are in the document. The second step in creating a digital footprint is to create a personal website. The website will work as a marketing tool 24/7 and is a great way to showcase your past accomplishments. The following are nine ways you can develop your online footprint:
- Optimize your resume with industry-related keywords and job-related accomplishments
- Create and optimize a personalized website to share your accomplishments.
- If you are in the Creative world, include a link to your portfolio, blog or YouTube channel
- Incorporate Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to connect your digital footprint
- Share your website on LinkedIn and other social media platforms to generate attention.
- Add depth to your website by writing blog content related to your industry
- Create video content to demonstrate your industry expertise
- Include a 'Contact Us' page on your website so recruiters can email you from the site.
If you haven't updated your resume in a while, there have probably been changes regarding layout, skill sets, and content. You don't need to include professional references, your home address, or GPA. That personal information can be shared when a potential employer requests it, but it takes up valuable space on your resume.
You should include a short objective statement, a list of your Core Competencies, relevant software, and hardware, and other applications that demonstrate your abilities. These items can be listed in one section or can be included in your professional work history.
A Personal Website Offers More Details Than Your Resume
I was laid off in 2008 through a Reduction in Force (RIF), due to the economy. I decided fairly quickly that I would need a way to set myself apart from other job candidates because the job market was very tight. I wanted to build a personal website that would work for me 24/7.
My website includes keywords that recruiters use, in conjunction with search engines to locate candidates for specific roles. I use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to make it easy for search engines to find my content, rank it for value, and get the site in front of recruiters and talent specialists who are searching by keyword. One of the benefits of managing my website is that I can update the content on an as-needed basis.
A personal website will give you plenty of room to expand upon your professional contributions and skillsets because you can create as many pages as you need. A website also gives you space to be creative and break out of the limitations of a two-page resume.
The website domain name should be a combination of your first and last name. There are several websites where you can purchase a personal domain, but you don't have to use that site to build your website. I use GoDaddy as a single source to manage my domains, websites, and email addresses because everything I need is in one place, and it's easy to manage.
I created my own website so that I could highlight my professional skills and provide an easily accessible resume for recruiters to download with a single click. I can easily add new pages to highlight my resume, my writing or a creative portfolio, professional recommendations, and a Contact page.
Consider your audience as you build your website. My audience consists of recruiters and hiring managers, so my content is created around their needs.
The Value of a Personal Website
Website Traffic
Match Your Resume to the Job Description
It is imperative that job-specific keywords are included in your resume to help search engines and recruiters find your website and your resume. One of the easiest ways to upgrade your resume and ensure it can be found is to compare it to your resume and a current job description.
- If you are in banking, does your resume refer to your loan officer experience?
- If you are in marketing, does your resume express your knowledge about email marketing, social media, and digital platforms?
- If you are an engineer, does your resume reflect the technical aspect of your skill sets?
An easy way to get started is to open a current job description based on your industry and field of expertise. I use Indeed.com because It is an aggregator. In other words, it curates job postings from other job boards and posts them on the website. My background is in marketing, so I use a few different searches set up on their website, and my resume is posted there as well.
How to Use Job Search Tools on Indeed
Type your desired Job Title into the Search bar, and select the country. The query will return results based on the Job Title and you can apply filters based on multiple drop-down options that will refine your preferences.
- Date Posted
- Remote (or hybrid)
- Pay (Starting at $40,000)
- Job Type (Full Time, Part Time, Contract, Temporary, Internship)
- Skill (Related the Job Title in your search)
- Encourage to Apply (Based on work history and/or education)
- Location (In the country you selected)
- Company (By name)
- Posted by (Employer or Staffing Agency)
- Experience Level
- Education
Initial Search Query Results
Refined Search Query Results
Internet Job Search
Search Engine Optimization and Job Boards
Once you find a job description that matches your experience, it is important to integrate keywords into your resume, your website, and your LinkedIn profile. SEO refines your content and allows other users to find you based on specific keywords they use in an organic search. For example, a recruiter may conduct an online search for someone with experience in email marketing, developing web content, and database marketing. If you have that level of experience, then each of those terms should be included within your online profile and website.
Review several different job descriptions from career sites and the related keywords. Integrate those same industry terms into your resume and then post it on different job boards. There are several job boards, such as Monster, CareerBuilder, and ZipRecruiter, and each requires a user ID and password to log in.
I do not recommend posting your home address or phone number on any job board. By controlling the information, you can control how people reach you through the various job boards. Providing your email address is sufficient for a recruiter to contact you.
Grow Your Brand Through Unique Marketing
In 2014, I decided to create another website to capture recruiter interest and expand my digital footprint. I purchased the domain HireThisGirl.Me and I used a GoDaddy template to build the page content. The new website is linked to my original website and to LinkedIn.
Then, I ordered custom business cards from Vista Print. I was so excited about the cards and the new brand site that I posted a screenshot of the business card on LinkedIn. The image was viewed by more than 300 people across first, second, and third-degree connections. I also created a Twitter account (now known as X) and used it to connect with recruiters, career experts, and corporate brands to grow my audience.
A few hours after posting the image on LinkedIn, I was contacted by the President of a liquidation company in Austin, Texas. He liked the image and wanted to speak to me about a position on his team that he thought might interest me. I liked the opportunity and spent some time researching the company, but at that time, I was not interested in moving to Austin.
Bold move and lots of views!
Use Social Media as a Marketing Tool
Social Media has been one of the fastest-evolving communication channels in history. Hundreds of social platforms have come and gone and are quickly replaced by other options. There are so many different types of channels, but you don't have to be on all of them. Social media marketing allows you to position yourself through branding and creates an opportunity to connect with recruiters and staffing agencies without stalking them on LinkedIn.
Remember who your audience is for your website, and follow that track in social media to maintain interest.
If you don't have a LinkedIn profile, you should create one ASAP. LinkedIn is a social networking website for professionals and brands. Recruiters and staffing agencies use LinkedIn to post jobs and search for qualified candidates.
To create an all-star profile, you must complete all sections on your profile. Becoming an All-star takes time and dedication, but it will set you apart from other job applicants. If you are a creative type, then take advantage of creating a portfolio that demonstrates your expertise.
You can also create tutorials that can be shared on YouTube, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. SlideShare is another platform for sharing presentations and is another opportunity to gain an audience based on your expertise.
Set Yourself Apart From Other Job Candidates
A carefully created online footprint can give you a hiring advantage.
Your Digital Footprint Should Create the Right Type of Attention
If you are searching for a new job, it is important to demonstrate your value and expertise to recruiters and hiring managers. Your digital footprint should be a carefully created set of assets that work for your benefit and provide a pathway to the right people.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
© 2012 Michelle Orelup
Comments
Covington Professional Resume Services LLC from Philadelphia, PA on June 03, 2015:
This article is excellent. The information is accurate and the advice is perfect. I would advise applicant tracking system screening for keyword density and optimization in both of the conventional and online resume's text. ATS systems are already being utilized through social media accounts I.e. Socialintel.com and with the recent roll out of new top level domains, you can be sure sure they will be adapted to scan the .resume shortly after it becomes available. Thank you.
Sharon on May 22, 2014:
The site www.jobscan.co is also a great place improve your resume. All you do is put in your resume you already created plus the description of the position, then Jobscan analyzes your resume for you automatically! Saved me so much time AND I got more interviews using Jobscan!
Michelle Orelup (author) from Milwaukee, WI on September 14, 2013:
Thank you. With the contstant changes in technology, search engine optimization and recruiting it's really important to know how to get your resume noticed.
I built a website that has my resume, portfolio, recommendations and the range of my professional experience. This is a very competitive job market and it can be tough to stand out if you aren't using the right tools.
C E Clark from North Texas on September 14, 2013:
Excellent information and bound to be helpful to people looking to improve their employment situation. With the economy still in the commode for most people, this article could be just what is needed to turn someone's life around.
Michelle Orelup (author) from Milwaukee, WI on March 11, 2012:
Thank you Deborah!
Deborah Neyens from Iowa on March 09, 2012:
Great tips. Welcome to Hubpages!
