Whether you are applying for a job or to a university, you will want to find ways to manage the Digital You so you can stick out amongst other applicants. While there are many ways to accomplish this one of the most effective is to make a personal website.

Like social media, having a good personal website can give your onlookers a positive perception of who you are. It also provides an opportunity to present yourself in a medium that is more unique than the standard resume.

Not convinced? Here are 5 reasons why you should consider making your own personal website.

5 Reasons why you should make a personal website

It shows skill

One of the first things that come across when someone sees your website is that you had the skill to build it.  The qualifications needed to build a site are invaluable in many different industries. Regardless of whether you are looking for a job in the tech field, having any web and design based skills will give you an advantage over other candidates.

Websites are dynamic

A website is always changing. Unlike your resume which is on pdf or a hard copy, you can update your website whenever you like. Anytime you have acquired a new skill, or feel like it is time for an aesthetic upgrade, you can make changes on the site for your viewers to see.

You will be one in a few

Many people have social media and a resume but not many have a personal website. Even in the year 2018, many are still relying on their activity on other websites to shape their digital selves. This means that by having a website you are actively standing out in a unique way which is something many employers and universities like to see.

It makes you searchable

A personal website can help you rank in online search results (Google, etc.). Having a website with you at the centre will help you stand out from others with the same name.

With a resume, it is up to you to make sure it gets in the right hands. By making your website and therefore appearing in online search results, you become easily accessible for those looking to learn more about you.  Instead of searching and only finding your LinkedIn or Facebook page, they also get access to a website that you have catered to best reflect you.

You are not restricted

While aptly managing your social media is a great way to improve the Digital You, it does come with restrictions that a personal website doesn’t have. Unlike social media, your website won’t have distractions like your social connections that could diminish a viewers perception of you. It also doesn’t rely on you to post frequently to stay relevant on the site. You can update your website whenever you feel you need to. This means the content on your site keeps the focus on your strongest attributes (and not the restaurant you ate at last Friday).

An online space where you get to choose how others view you is rare in this day in age. Social media sites and financial entities actively shape the way others perceive you. By creating a personal website you are creating a part of the Digital You that you can fully control.

Don’t stop there. You can tap into ScoresMatter to gain even more control of the Digital You today.