So many colleagues, friends and family are out of work these days, it seems everyone is looking for some tools to help them get an edge on getting that next job. The author of Me 2.0: Build a Power Brand to Achieve Career Success, Dan Schawbel, wrote a great article just on this very subject. Here are the highlights…
1) Start with a website
Whether it’s a full blown website or a blog, either way, start with a presence on the Internet that is completely your own. This website is your resume. It can say volumes about you in an entertaining way, much more than just a sheet of paper. You’ll need to either get a web designer to create your website for you, or you can create your blog at WordPress.com.
2) Your URL is key
Dan writes, "The objective of the URL is to have something you can freely promote and that people can remember." – So, an URL that’s your name or describes what you do would be perfect. I personally like GoDaddy.com for domain name registrations but there are many others out there. Just make sure to purchase your domain name for a very minimum of 2 years.
3) Decide on the format and design
Make sure that your website and/or blog are unique – try (try very hard) not to use templates. Create your own individual space on the Internet. Remember, it is this space that others will be "meeting you" for the first time. Or it is this space that others will be "getting to know you". Use it wisely. If you’re not good with colors and design, get someone who is.
4) Enhance your resume with multimedia
Did you know that in 2008 there were about 1 billion more searches conducted on YouTube than on Google? What does that tell you? Video is in and if you can add a video or slide show to your website, you’re adding another dimension. Try animoto.com to create some great slide shows.
5) Integrate your social network profiles
Okay, if you haven’t yet created some social networking profiles for yourself, I have no idea what you’re waiting for. These days, HR departments are regularly using these profiles to "check" the candidates who are seeking jobs. Create your profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. If there are any specific social media networks that are geared towards your industry, sign up with those as well. And yes, it’s not just signing up, you actually have to participate in them. If you’re looking for work, you’re probably going to networking groups, meeting other professionals, getting your name and resume out there. These social media networks are the same thing, only you’re doing it all online and you get to drink your own coffee.
6) Make your resume shareable
In other words, make sure to make it as easy as possible for viewers to your website or your blog or your social media profiles to be able to send your resume to someone else. If an HR person reviews your facebook and thinks that you would be a good fit for another HR person in another company, you want to make it as easy as possible for them to just click on a button and send out that information. Add this feature to your website, your blog, wherever you are on the Internet.
In the article, Dan Schawbel gives a link to his own online resume – check it out!
Read the complete article on Mashable.com
