Telecommuting Website (Part One)

"I've heard you talk about building a website to get telecommuting jobs. Can you tell me more about this, and how I would do it?"

If you all listen to WAHMTalkRadio.com, then you might have heard me talk about using a website to help you get a work at home job. Basically, what I said was that in this field, you NEED to stand out from the crowd, and you can do this many different ways. One of them is to make a website to showcase you, your skills, experience, portfolio, resume, and more.

I started to answer this question, and before I knew it, the answer turned into pages and pages! Instead of overwhelming you with too much to read at one time, I'm going to break this into a two part answer.

Why Build a Website?

Your main objective is to stand out from the crowd of competition, and this is yet another way to do that. Building your own website shows you're creative, unique, and you are willing to go above and beyond in order to get the job.

Think of it this way. You are applying to a job where hundreds of others have applied, too. Now, they won't all be as qualified as you all the time, but let's say 100 are. The employer is sifting through resume after resume; then they come across yours. They click on your link, and it opens up... and there you are! With your picture, bio, resume, and all the other great stuff I'm going tot talk about below. Don't you think that at the very least you would stand out from the crowd? You might not always get the job because of a website, but it can't hurt, and it will make you more noticeable.

What to include?

Here are my recommendations for your website, but remember, you can do as much or as little on the website as you'd like. The website needs to reflect you, and therefore you can add to it or remove from it what you would like. ;)

Your Bio - Include a little bit about yourself, your experience, and your skills. The potential employer can get to know you a little bit right off the bat.

Your Picture - Like I've said before, it could just make you feel more real to the employer. Since they can put a face to the name, they might remember you more then someone who just has a resume.

Your Voice - Of course, this isn't one of those die hard rules. I enjoy the option of listening to someone's greeting/intro, but I know some aren't comfortable recording their own voices. I do, however, think this is yet another great way to have the employer see you as a real person. Not only can they see your picture, along with your skills and experience, but they could also hear your voice. I use audio on my websites/blogs and newsletters. I find them a great way to communicate and seem more real to my readers

Your Resume - This has all the necessary information that the employer will need. Please be sure to spell check your resume, along with the rest of the website. I would also recommend you having the resume done professionally. Think of it as investing into yourself and your future. I've also been told that you can write off a resume on taxes, so keep that in mind.

Your Portfolio - If you have one and you're looking for work online, the only place to showcase your portfolio is online. It would be a perfect addition to your website. Your portfolio can be one of two things: it can either be work you've done, or it can be samples of work you can do. Just have fun with it, and be creative. These are just some of my own suggestions. There are many other things you can do, and I'm sure you will come up with some great ideas for your own personal website.

The next article in the series I'm gong to talk about how you can get your website out there in front of potential employers. After all, you can build an amazing website, but if you don't know how to get it out there and seen, there's really no point to it.

Nell Taliercio is the publisher of a weekly telecommuting newsletter that helps moms and dads work at home. Read more about the newsletter and get your free listing of job links at http://www.telecommutinganswerlady.com

In The News:


Windsor Star

Unemployment rate steady at 6.1%
National Post, Canada - 3 hours ago
Gord Waldner/Saskatoon Star PhoenixDalton Charles visited the Careers and Employment Services office in August. Dalton has worked in the house building ...
Roundup: Unemployment rate steady; Americans face exquisite choice ... National Post
all 4 news articles

COORDINATOR/COUNSELOR
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 17 hours ago
DO-IT activities serve to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. ...

Canada's Government and Prince Edward Island Sign New Training and ...
MarketWatch - 2 hours ago
This will provide the Province with the flexibility to focus job training programs and employment supports on the local and regional needs of both employers ...

UPDATE 1-Monster employment index rises in August
Reuters - Sep 4, 2008
O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), an online careers and recruiting firm, said its Employment Index rose 2 percentage points to 159 during the month. ...
Monster US online jobs index edges up in August Reuters
all 30 news articles

Graduate employment hunters 'happy to change jobs'
Women in Technology, UK - 4 hours ago
New graduates seeking employment are demanding to be challenged and are not content to remain with companies if they believe their careers are stagnating, ...

Seychelles career week focuses on needs of the labour market
African Press Agency, Senegal - 2 hours ago
APA - Victoria (Seychelles) Employees in the Seychelles educational sector who have been taking part in the Careers Week were on Thursday appraised of the ...

She's Pries Open a Work Window for Career Moms
Laguna Beach Independent, CA - 13 hours ago
"It is a win-win situation for both," she said, explaining that employers cut costs by avoiding paying benefits while the employment candidate gains the ...

Q&A: Christina McKelvie
Scotsman, United Kingdom - 16 hours ago
Until we stop treating women's employment rights as political correctness, we are going to have this debate going on for the next 30 years. ...

Degree or diploma?
Calgary Herald,  Canada - Sep 4, 2008
Unless you're going into a profession that has a job waiting for you, some graduates struggle to find employment in their trained career."

Recession proofing a career
TVNZ, New Zealand - Sep 3, 2008
... may be reviewing their future employment prospects. "There's a very important component that rarely features when people are considering their career, ...
careers employment - Google News


Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

What You Should Never Put on Your Resume

Liars Get Caught! What NOT to Put on Your Resume"Everybody... Read More

Hey, You Cant Ask Me That! (How to Respond to Inappropriate Job Interview Questions)

I received the following questions from a visitor to my... Read More

Sawbones

I was rushing through the white-tented terminal building at Denver... Read More

Use Job Search Hacks to Get Hired Faster

Job searching alone is like hitchhiking a scary ride with... Read More

Working as a Knowledge Worker in the Information Age

The old adages: "It's not what you know, but who... Read More

How To Write The Perfect Cover Letter: Be Brief--And Be Gone!

The best cover letters are 'one-page wonders.' Why? Because they... Read More

Do You Have a Hotsy-Totsy Resume?

I begin this article with a bit of slang description.... Read More

Always Have a Current Resume

What is the biggest mistake people make with resumes?People write... Read More

Necessary Psychological Skills When Working in the Executive Protection Field

The "hard" skills necessary for an executive protection specialist (EPS)... Read More

Negotiating Skills: How to Obtain the Salary You Want

Salary negotiating is an important topic that must be addressed... Read More

Keep Your Phone Costs Down!

When you're looking for work, some of your expenses will... Read More

Unemployment Blues: Mind Over Mood

Our lives are tranquil and smooth so seldom, it seems.... Read More

Job Search - 6 Tips to Boost Your Campaign

Does your job search feel like a big weight on... Read More

Preparing For Your Job Interview: What You Need To Know To Be Successful

In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their... Read More

Independent RN Contractors Are Taking The Nursing Profession

Nurses wake up and take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity.... Read More

Need a Job? Put a Gun to Your Head

A legendary marketing genius once said that, if he had... Read More

What You Need To Know Before Committing To Vocational Retraining

You've thought a lot about the kind of work you... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Try, Try, Again

This article relates to the Career Opportunities competency and explores... Read More

Personality Testing; Myth and Realities

It is commonly believed myth that personality testing instruments can... Read More

Job Interviews: Use the Personal Touch to Get a Job

A study conducted by the Journal of Consumer Research in... Read More

Four Job Interview Mistakes That Can Torpedo Your Chances of Success

What are the worst mistakes job hunters make? It turns... Read More

Hello Work World, Im Un-Retiring

For many years, you looked forward to that day when... Read More

Planning Your Successful Career: 15 Ideas

"Doing a good job is one of the most important... Read More

Bringing Our Family to Work

Let's face it, most of us consider professional success and... Read More

Resume Software ? The Hidden Pitfalls

Disadvantages of Resume SoftwareFormat A large majority of software requires... Read More