I’m of the era where I typed my resume on the new-fangled personal computer, sent it out in a stamped envelope and waited for a phone call on the land line. Like many “of this era,” when it comes to looking for a job, the process is not just about simply finding the right open position and then waiting for the phone to ring. Of course, there’s much more to what has become a very active process for the seeker.

For many, part of the process is also about catching up on the latest ways to incorporate technology into the search. While juggling its many forms to communicate interest, interviews and offers can be its own project, the easy availability of technology can be utilized to a job seeker’s huge advantage.

To that end, make sure you are up to date on the technological opportunities that help your candidacy stand out. You might already be on a number of social media outlets, but there’s another space you want to consider: Your own. Miriam Salpeter is among authors who strongly suggest a solid, personal presence on the Web in her article, “4 Reasons Job Seekers Should Have a Personal Website.” Here’s why:

Highlight that personal brand you developed. You already know that your candidacy is a marketable commodity. So, what better way to advertise the commodity than through a personal website? An advantage to investing the time to create a website is that you have time to think about what information you want to communicate. Then, communicate it in a way that truly reflects you. The resume and interview setting combination does not often allow for a true, full representation of who you are, but your own site can do so for you.

If that doesn’t inspire you to develop your online site, perhaps this will: More than half of employers report being impressed by a candidate’s personal website, yet fewer than 10% of job seekers have one (Smith).

Be seen. Does there exist a hiring manager who doesn’t perform even a cursory search of a candidate before or after an interview? Assuming not, make sure you provide as much positive, supportive information about yourself as possible! Your website is completely customizable to communicate the exact message you want.

Assume there will be a time when the choice to fill a vacancy is between you and someone else. And, that someone else has an online presence highlighting professional accomplishments and abilities while presenting just the right personality for the hiring manager to see a fit in the organization. The online presence from a personal website is either part of your competition, or it is what will propel you ahead of the others.

“5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Social Media for Personal Branding and Being “Findable” Online.”

Be seen any time. Your website can make a big statement about many aspects of you at any time, day or night. It makes information always available including your biographical statement as well as your resume, achievements and interests. If you own your own name as your domain name, it will be easy for an employer to find and learn a great deal about you on his or her time frame. Salpeter also notes that a personal website does a lot of networking for you by way of providing a variety of your information all in one place as well as ways to connect and communicate with you.

When putting together your job search strategies, do yourself a big favor by making sure you are completely up to date on what is available to market yourself. For many job seekers, it’s time to develop a personal website to add to the job search pursuit. Create your own personal website, and take control of your brand in every way!

Salpeter, Miriam. “3 Times Going Backward in Your Career Is Actually the Best Way Forward.” U.S. News and World Report. U.S. News & World Report LP. 2016. Web. (26 June 2016)

Smith, Jacquelyn. “Why Every Job Seeker Should Have a Personal Website, And What It Should Include.” Forbes. Forbes Media LLC. 2016. Web. (26 June 2016)

Nancy Stoker is a Senior Client Services Representative and Research Associate with ExecSearches.com. ExecSearches provides various recruitment and executive search services for nonprofits including its nonprofit job board.