Benefits of Creating Your Own Candidate Site

Have you ever thought about creating your own candidate site? Maybe you haven’t pondered the thought at all, but creating a candidate site can be an easy, yet powerful resource when it comes to establishing your online personal brand. Think of it as your virtual business card and portfolio. Your name is your identity, so own it!

Get Started

First, google your name and check if it’s already taken. The internet is used by millions of people worldwide, and chances are someone shares the same name as you. If your name is available, BUY IT. If your name has already been claimed as a domain, then try tweaking it by adding your middle initial or name. For example, if www.jameskinney.com exist, instead try www.jamesnicolaskinney.com.

Be Creative

If including your middle name is still giving you no luck and showing an existing domain, don’t fret. You just have to get a little more creative with it. Incorporate some adjectives, general or specific to you. Brainstorm words that describe you and play with the order of the words in the domain to best suit your personal brand.

Some ideas and examples:

General

• Live

  • www.jameskinneylive.com

• 360

  • www.jameskinney360.com 

• World

  • www.jameskinneyworld.com

• Go

  • www.gojameskinney.com

Career/Industry Specific

• Nurse

  • www.jameskinneycare.com

• Media Strategist

  • www.jameskinneymedia.com

• Personal Fitness Trainer

  • www.jameskinneyfit.com 

• Lawyer

  • www.jameskinneylaw.com 

Own It 

Find a website that you can buy your domain name from. There are so many options out there to buy a domain. Some websites even have cool templates you can use and customize.

Here some popular sites to buy domains:

• www.godaddy.com

• www.wix.com

• www.squarespace.com

• https://domains.google

There is a cost to owning your name, however when it comes to your personal brand, having control of your online identity is priceless. You will be able to host your portfolio, resume, blog post and LinkedIn profile all in one place; YOURNAME.com. 

With your website domain purchased and set up, you can always have a place to direct people to the sophisticated, professional virtual reflection of you and your work.