Websites can sell. They are particularly good at selling things that benefit from conveying highly targeted information. That is to say, generally at least, websites are good at getting information to the people who are interested in it. With the web you don't "broadcast" information - you speak only to those who are interested. They arrive at your site as a result of consciously following links. By getting your sales message to people who are interested you have a leg up over those who broadcast to a predominantly disinterested audience.

By selling yourself, I'm not referring to prostituting yourself; but rather, the idea is to get your resume online ... Actually I'm thinking more than a resume - you can use the web to actively market your skills online. Get information about yourself to people who might be interested in hiring you.

I think it is still a good idea to send out traditional resumes to potential employers. The idea behind this page is that your paper resume has a URL to a website that is more comprehensive than your print resume could ever be. Effective print resumes should be succinct and to the point - you indicate your qualifications. You can supplement that resume with a webpage that proves your qualifications. In doing so you can pump up the sales pitch.

Imagine if I was a technical writer (I know it's a stretch but use your imagination). I'd have a print resume that outlined my education, training, and my previous work experience. It would also have a link to my website - technicalexpert.com. Now while that site might have the same info that's in the print resume, it would have a lot more. Imagine that it also has a few short essays that I wrote. There could be an essay on the benefits of quality technical writing. Maybe there's one on the skills necessary to excel at technical writing. And how about a article about the importance of keeping to project schedules. I'd also write an article about how important it is for technical writers to see the big picture of what project leaders and managers are trying to achieve - that the technical writer has to be a team player. The site might also have links of interest to technical writers. I'd introduce those links as being of interest to the technical writer who wants to be outstanding in his field.

Now don't you think any potential employer who checks out the site will go away impressed? Of course they will. The site will demonstrate that I'm an eminently knowledgeable technical writer highly in tuned with the needs of my employers. The nature of the website will suggest I'm a leader in my field - someone other technical writers go to for advice.

My advice is that you think about what are the skills your ideal employer is really looking for. Don't just focus on their narrow job descriptions. Use your website as a place to demonstrate how you have those skills. In this manner you can fill out some of the weaknesses in your resume.

Use creativity. By that I don't mean lying or stretching the truth. I hope you can see how my technical writer example used a creative approach to showing potential employers that I'm a superior candidate for employment. I chose technical writers in the example because I, perhaps inaccurately, perceive it as a rather non-glamorous specialty. Despite the lack of glamour it could be quite straightforward to create a website that clearly suggests a high level of competence.

Creativity is a great asset to have - it helps in almost any career. Your website can demonstrate that you are creative. It can also demonstrate your communication skills, technical proficiency, resourcefulness, and give a sense of your personality. Note that these are all things that are hard to successfully demonstrate in a print resume.

If you are seriously interested in creating a website to "sell yourself", I most highly recommend this book : Make Your Site Sell! by Dr. Ken Evoy. His advice is as applicable to this idea as it is to selling merchandise or services online. I know you won't regret purchasing this comprehensive yet inexpensive guide. You can download sample chapters for free to allow you to judge the quality and applicability of the advice prior to purchasing the book. When you do purchase and download the book, if for any reason you aren't satisfied your money will be refunded in full. There is no time limit on the guarantee!

When you get that dream job be sure to and tell me all about it and how you got it. I'll be interested! Until then go on and get creative : build a website.

PS. Something to think about: I read that some employers are now routinely checking out employment candidates on the internet. They'll search for your homepage even if you didn't tell them you had one. They also search to see if you've been posting to any questionable newsgroups. The story said they can find out in five minutes with Altavista if you should be avoided. They don't even have to tell you that they frowned on your application only after discovering your interest in satanic cults and recreational terrorism. ( If you like to post messages to newsgroups, get one of my free email accounts and protect your privacy. You can get one here ).

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