The effectiveness of a personal website compared to traditional job search methods

Abstract

The article conducts a comprehensive study of the effectiveness of a personal website as a modern tool for job search and self-presentation in comparison with traditional methods in the context of active digitalisation of the Ukrainian labour market. The evolution of the recruitment process is considered, where employers are increasingly analysing the digital footprint of candidates, which increases the importance of controlled online resources. The article analyses in detail the effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages of traditional channels: resumes on specialised portals, use of professional social networks, personal recommendations, networking and cooperation with recruitment agencies, based on current statistics and research.  

The purpose of the study presented in the article is to comprehensively analyse and compare the effectiveness of a personal website as a job search tool with traditional methods, and to provide sound practical recommendations on its creation, implementation and evaluation of its effectiveness to increase the competitiveness of candidates. The author systematises the role of a personal website as a multifunctional tool for enhanced self-presentation, personal branding, demonstration of a portfolio and unique professional competences. The key advantages of the website (flexibility of format, control over content, the ability to demonstrate practical skills) and the main challenges (time and resource costs, the need for updates, dependence on SEO, difficulty in evaluating effectiveness) are identified. The article considers the industry specifics of the site's use and reveals its particular effectiveness for representatives of creative industries, IT specialists, marketers and freelancers. The article analyses the experience of job search by IT specialists in 2023 as a case study, which demonstrates the ability of a personal website to increase the visibility of candidates and overcome market barriers. The article also provides a detailed description of the key stages of practical implementation of an effective personal website: from strategic choice of technologies, development of structure and design, creation of value-added content and SEO optimisation to testing, launch and methods of evaluating its effectiveness using web analytics and feedback. It is substantiated that a systematic approach to the creation, management and analysis of a personal website can significantly increase the competitiveness of a specialist in the modern labour market.