Part 24 (1/2)
Building your web site is simple. You already have most of the content. Nontechies (us normal people) shrink at the thought of creating a web site because it's complicated. That doesn't have to be the case. For years, I have been referring people to 3 great sites where you can buy a ready-made template that you can customize to fit your own needs.
The first is Templatemonster.com at at . Historically, the advantage of using a template has been that you save time by not needing to master the technology first, but you do it at the cost of good looks. Frankly, looks matter. If a web site doesn't look good, people will not bother with it. CEO David Braun has a.s.sembled a top-notch team of graphic artists who build and release up to a dozen new templates every day. These sites are pure eye-candy and cost as little as $25. Guerrilla, you can't beat that.
Two other options include 1and1.com and and G.o.daddy.com These are superb resources. In both case you can choose a template and publish it to the Internet in minutes through their online, menu-driven, self-serve web site. The content is all you need to provide. These are superb resources. In both case you can choose a template and publish it to the Internet in minutes through their online, menu-driven, self-serve web site. The content is all you need to provide.
However you choose to get your site up and running, here are the major sections you need to include: * Home page* Contact page* Resume or experience page with all your resumes on it: Guerrilla, Extreme, ASCII, and so on* Interests or links page* Any optional pages you deem appropriate
The content of those pages must do the following: * It should engage the reader.* It must present a clean professional image.* Be consistent. It should present the same brand you are trying to achieve with your resumes and cover letter.* It should have a call to action-you need to tell readers what to do next or, at the very least, make it easy for them to contact you.* If you write a blog, there should be a link to it.
If you want to be seen in the best possible light as a potential employee, then your web site should not: should not: * Appear folksy or cute * Appear folksy or cute* Link to any questionable web sites of a religious, political, or s.e.xual nature* Have pictures of you and your family-especially young children-because you don't know who is looking at the site and for what reason* Have your home address* Make mention or hint of your marital status* Your home phone number (get a second line or make them use e-mail)* Any personal information of any kind that could lead to ident.i.ty theft such as your Social Security number or driver's license number
Recruiters (whether they be the employer's or a headhunter) search the Internet for keywords. If you have a ”Projects” section, you need to have hyperlinks that connect as described in the e-resume section, with links to: * Your current and past employers* a.s.sociations you belong to* Articles in which you or your project are mentioned* University and colleges you have attended* Special certifications you have received* Anything else that would prompt a call or inquiry from a curious recruiter
Most of the content for your web site will come straight from your resume. Keep your writing short and tight. The site's purpose is to prompt the reader to call you, not to answer all questions.
Darryl Praill's site is a great example (see Figure 6.1 Figure 6.1). It's engaging, informative, and bold like the man himself. See what he's done that you might incorporate in yours.
Your Blog
A blog is a powerful addition to your web site.
A blog blog is an electronic journal that has been made available on the web for others to read. The activity of updating a blog is is an electronic journal that has been made available on the web for others to read. The activity of updating a blog is blogging, blogging, and someone who keeps a blog is a and someone who keeps a blog is a blogger. blogger. Blogs are typically updated using software designed for people with little or no technical background. Blogs are typically updated using software designed for people with little or no technical background.
Figure 6.1 Darryl Praill. Darryl Praill.
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Your strategic use of a blog can make you a prime target for employers and headhunters. Why? Because you're making it easier for people to find you on the Web. Just think of it: no more waiting for your blue-haired Web designer to update your site. You can post to your blog yourself. Having your own blog gives you credibility and a forum to demonstrate your expertise. If you're not an expert, you can become the oracle by linking to other bloggers, articles, news sources, and web sites. You build your credibility by highlighting what others are doing. For example, if your goal is to be hired as a teacher, you can talk about the latest developments in K-12 or ADHD.
Best of all, blogging can be done for free. Check out these sites to start your guerrilla job-hunting blog: ** ** *
If you are not certain what to write about, then go toand look at what other bloggers are doing. and look at what other bloggers are doing. BlogSearchGoogle.com will allow you to keyword search any subject. (There's that term again-You should get used to hearing it because finding things on the Web-and being found on the Web-relies on understanding how to exploit keywords.) Fire up your Web browser, surf over to will allow you to keyword search any subject. (There's that term again-You should get used to hearing it because finding things on the Web-and being found on the Web-relies on understanding how to exploit keywords.) Fire up your Web browser, surf over to , and enter the keywords that are relevant to your area of expertise. In fact, while you're there, create a Blog Alert [on the left-hand side of the screen]. Now, read what other people are writing about. It is that easy.
From a personal branding perspective, your blog is a billboard on the Internet. Use it to get people to stop at your web site, read your resume, and call you for an interview. Blogging can help you find a job in the following ways: * Increase your visibility because search engines love blogs.* Demonstrate your critical thinking and communication skills, which employers look for.* Establish and legitimize you as an expert in the field/function you want to be recruited into.* Brand you as informed and savvy.* Invite discussions and inquiries.
Being easy to find is the first step in securing your career future. If you do it correctly, you may never need to go looking for a job again because you're making yourself easy to find. Being found is what you want; it enables you to market yourself 24 hours a day at little or no cost. Make certain to link your blog post to your web site, LinkedIn account, Facebook, and/or Mys.p.a.ce account. Type pad will do this automatically for you with the widgets (mini applications) available on its site.
Does this work? Adam Swift started a blog on mixed martial arts in his spare time while completing his law degree. Mark Cuban found him, bought the blog , and acquired Adam in the process.
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A WAR STORY.
Adam Swift
During my second year of law school, I realized I didn't want to be a lawyer. I had always had a pa.s.sion for sports business, particularly for the promotional aspects of professional wrestling as a child, and later mixed martial arts (MMA). Since I had entered law school, MMA had exploded into one of the fastest growing sports in the world. I decided to give it a shot and began mailing resumes and making phone calls to the leading companies in the industry. After months of frustrating cold calling, I realized that if I was going to land my dream job, it was going to take a more nonconventional approach.
I read Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters over the summer before my final year of law school. One of the strategies discussed was the use of blogging in order to demonstrate expertise and become more accessible to headhunters. I decided to implement this strategy by starting a blog dedicated to the business of MMA. I've always enjoyed writing and figured that at worst I would find a fun hobby. over the summer before my final year of law school. One of the strategies discussed was the use of blogging in order to demonstrate expertise and become more accessible to headhunters. I decided to implement this strategy by starting a blog dedicated to the business of MMA. I've always enjoyed writing and figured that at worst I would find a fun hobby.