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Why Every Job Seeker Should Consider a Personal Website

It used to be that the only people who built personal websites were creatives.

Graphic designers. Game developers. Social media strategists.

People who needed a portfolio to show what they could make.

That’s how I first came across the idea. Over ten years ago, a client of mine, a CTO for a major cruise line, built a simple website. Not flashy, not content heavy. Just a clean timeline of his work, styled in a way that felt modern and minimal.

At the time, I remember thinking: “This is different, not just because of the content, but because of what it signaled.”

Here was a senior technologist showing he could be creative. That he wasn’t just coding solutions or leading infrastructure, he was someone who could think in systems and story.

And that little shift made him memorable.

Fast forward to today, and websites are no longer just for the artsy or tech-savvy.

Now, in a crowded and fast-moving job market, your personal website might be the thing that reduces friction and makes your value unmistakably clear.

Why Create a Personal Website Now?

1. It Humanizes You

Your resume lists what you’ve done.

Your LinkedIn shows your network.

But your website? That’s where you show:

  • Who you are
  • What you care about
  • How you think and lead

Share your leadership philosophy, your communication style, and the kind of problems you love solving. Include pictures of you in action: giving a talk, mentoring a team, coaching youth sports, volunteering.

Add a section for the books you’re reading, the podcasts you follow, your hobbies, the causes that matter to you. It’s not fluff. It’s the texture that helps hiring managers and your network connect with you as a full human, not just a title.

2. It Gives You Creative Freedom

There are no rules. No templates. No one telling you what can or can’t be included.

With free or low-cost tools like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress, anyone can build a beautiful, functional site; no coding required.

You can:

  • Write in your own voice
  • Use visuals that reflect your energy
  • Embed testimonials, presentations, videos, or project stories
  • Bring you into the picture, literally

A well-designed site says:

“I care about how I show up. I’m thoughtful. I take initiative. And I’m not afraid to be seen.”

3. It Shows (Not Just Tells) Your Impact

You can talk about your leadership, or you can show it:

  • A short blog post about a challenge you led your team through
  • A photo of you presenting to your board
  • A quote from someone who’s worked with you and can vouch for your clarity, empathy, or strategic mind

These are the things that build trust and make people want to advocate for you.

How to Use Your Website as a Job Seeker or Career Changer

Think of your site as your digital anchor. A place where your professional story lives in full. You can:

  • Link to it from your resume, LinkedIn, or email signature
  • Share it in networking conversations
  • Use it as a soft introduction when reaching out cold
  • Let it fill in the gaps when a resume can’t do your story justice

What to Include

Start with these essentials:

  1. About You: Who are you professionally? What drives your work?
  2. What You Solve: What kinds of problems do you want to solve? How do you approach them?
  3. Leadership Philosophy: How do you lead? What’s your style?
  4. Testimonials: Ask past team members, peers, or mentors to speak to how you work or what they experienced working with or for you.
  5. Visuals: You in action. Public speaking, team building, creating, serving.
  6. Personal Touches: Books, podcasts, hobbies, causes. They add depth and make you relatable.
  7. Resume + Contact Info: Make it easy for people to learn more and get in touch.

FINAL THOUGHT

You don’t need to be a designer. You don’t need to write a manifesto. You just need to be you and willing to let people see more than what’s on your resume.

A personal website turns a two-dimensional job search into a three-dimensional connection.

It gives hiring managers and your network something they don’t often get: a real sense of who you are.

And when people can see you, they’re more likely to believe in you, remember you, and reach out with that opportunity you’ve been hoping for.

Inside DIY Job Search Toolkits, we help members craft that kind of presence and give them the tools to stand out with intention.

If you’re ready to bring your story to life, we’re ready to help.

Ready to build your own? Start with this free Personal Website Starter Guide

It walks you through what to include, how to bring your story to life, and what makes a site stand out—even if you’re not tech-savvy.

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