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Applying For A Job - What If They Ask To See My Website?

by Snow_Predator
31 replies
Hey all

I'm applying for a temporary job to go and work in Russia during the winter Olympics. It's just for fun, not leaving IM or anything.

I'm just not sure what to say if they ask to see my website(s)?

I don't actually like to show people my websites because of privacy reasons. I speak my mind on my sites and to my lists, and I don't want people I know to know what my sites are. Plus I use pen-names, and a lot of people see that as being fraudulent.

What do I do?

Update: A few people have asked whether it's a requirement that I show my websites. Answer: not particularly. The post is for a driving job, lol. Out of 10 different positions, this is the lowest paid, but I picked it because it's the most enjoyable - I'll get to meet lots of jolly Americans working for NBC.
#applying #job #website
  • Profile picture of the author datingworld
    Is it one of the requirement to show your website to them for getting this job?
    If yes, then you dont have choice.
    Otherwise you don't need to mention your websites to them.
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    • Profile picture of the author TravisO
      Originally Posted by datingworld View Post

      Is it one of the requirement to show your website to them for getting this job?
      If yes, then you dont have choice.
      Otherwise you don't need to mention your websites to them.
      I don't think they will look for your some of your web projects.

      Here's the style, wait for them to ask. If they don't ask for your website portfolio then it's good.

      But if they would ask, hmmmm.... I don't know what to do.
      Maybe you just tell them you are expert on websites and show your skill to them. That might work.
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    If they haven't seen your sites, they don't know your sites exist.

    It's not complicated.
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  • Profile picture of the author mmiys
    I'm guessing you think they might ask to see your websites because you are naming IM as your current position. What else could you say you are doing to create an income? Can yo list yourself as a consultant? Can you show them things you have done for clients? What other areas of IM have you used other than your websites? Full disclosure is not always necessary.

    Good luck, and let us know if you'll be traveling soon
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  • Profile picture of the author glowworm
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Snow_Predator View Post

    I don't actually like to show people my websites because of privacy reasons.
    Surely that's the whole point of having a website - to be seen.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by glowworm View Post

      Surely that's the whole point of having a website - to be seen.
      So what's the point of using a pen-name, then (and/or why don't you have any of your websites in your signature-file)?

      Snowy's understandable concern, here, is that if you apply to someone for a temporary job, and give "self-employed internet marketer" as your current/recent occupation, they may ask to see some sign of it ... and the obvious sign they might like to see is a website or two? To which, I think, there isn't an easy answer: the choice seems to be between taking a chance on saying "Ok, but just for yourselves, please" and explaining the pen-name issue to them, and hoping for the best ... or taking a chance on saying "No, sorry, not disclosing this for reasons of confidentiality/security" and explaining that to them, and hoping still to get the job. Not easy at all. I suppose you have to play it by ear and see how the "conversation" goes?

      Good luck - especially if you get there!
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      • Profile picture of the author glowworm
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        So what's the point of using a pen-name, then
        Countless people have a pen-name for a variety of reasons, as on this forum for example. It doesn't mean you have anything to hide.

        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        and/or why don't you have any of your websites in your signature-file)?
        Possibly for the same reasons you don't have any websites in your signature link, just a blog link. I'm not selling anything and I'm not promoting anything on WF, so why exactly do I need a link? And (more importantly) what does whether I have a link or not have to do with anything?

        I said that the whole point of having a website was for IT to be seen. I didn't mention anything about pen-names and signature links.

        On a side note . . If you quote your occupation as a self-employed internet marketer then you've got to expect any potential employer to want to see exactly what you do, or websites illustrating your work.
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        • Profile picture of the author agmccall
          Why not create a simple website with screenshots of different parts of your money sites. That way you can show your sites without the possibility of showing the controversial parts

          al
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
          Banned
          Originally Posted by glowworm View Post

          Countless people have a pen-name for a variety of reasons, as on this forum for example. It doesn't mean you have anything to hide.
          I completely agree. I'm involved as a marketer in 8 different niches, and use 8 different pen-names for them.

          Originally Posted by glowworm View Post

          I'm not selling anything and I'm not promoting anything on WF
          Neither am I - I have nothing to promote here.

          Originally Posted by glowworm View Post

          so why exactly do I need a link?
          No reason that I can see. You, not I, were the one saying that the purpose of a website was "to be seen" - hence my question.

          Originally Posted by glowworm View Post

          If you quote your occupation as a self-employed internet marketer then you've got to expect any potential employer to want to see exactly what you do, or websites illustrating your work.
          Indeed. Hence Snowy's entirely understandable problem, here.
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          • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
            Originally Posted by Art of Marketing View Post

            Well speaking your mind online and job hunting do not go very well.

            I would get busy on some brand spanking new sites that are neutral...maybe even blogs on the Olympic events?

            You could actually make a nice chunk of change if you set them up just right to the right passionate fans.

            -Art
            Yeh, lol that thought did cross my mind. Just set up something very professional-looking that has no chance on EARTH of making any money, but hey - it looks professional and I can just tell people "here's my site".

            I was at a wedding coupla weeks ago, and I had a couple of people actually take out their phones to write down my website url. I had to explain to them that for privacy reasons, I don't tell anyone what my websites are. The expressions on their faces? - "Riiiiight".

            Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

            So what's the point of using a pen-name, then (and/or why don't you have any of your websites in your signature-file)?

            Snowy's understandable concern, here, is that if you apply to someone for a temporary job, and give "self-employed internet marketer" as your current/recent occupation, they may ask to see some sign of it ... and the obvious sign they might like to see is a website or two? To which, I think, there isn't an easy answer: the choice seems to be between taking a chance on saying "Ok, but just for yourselves, please" and explaining the pen-name issue to them, and hoping for the best ... or taking a chance on saying "No, sorry, not disclosing this for reasons of confidentiality/security" and explaining that to them, and hoping still to get the job. Not easy at all. I suppose you have to play it by ear and see how the "conversation" goes?

            Good luck - especially if you get there!
            Spot on Alexa. Here's what I put on my CV:

            Small Business Owner in Information Marketing

            Employ writers and healthcare professionals to create, market and sell information products in the form of books, videos and online courses.
            Luckily enough I didn't put down anything about a website. So maybe I could tell them I advertise via offline media - newspapers, leaflets, and errr... I'll look up some ideas on the forum.

            Originally Posted by mmiys View Post

            I'm guessing you think they might ask to see your websites because you are naming IM as your current position. What else could you say you are doing to create an income? Can yo list yourself as a consultant? Can you show them things you have done for clients? What other areas of IM have you used other than your websites? Full disclosure is not always necessary.

            Good luck, and let us know if you'll be traveling soon
            There is nothing else I have done mmiys. I appreciate your ideas. I think I'm gona make something up, and try not to mention that I have any websites at all :s.
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    • Profile picture of the author yukon
      Banned
      Originally Posted by glowworm View Post

      Surely that's the whole point of having a website - to be seen.
      I get where OP is coming from, it's not always a smart idea to associate yourself with money sites.
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  • Profile picture of the author TimothyTorrents
    Do you really need to show them your websites? I never heard of it being a requirement.

    Either way, if they really need to see your websites what do you have to hide?
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  • Profile picture of the author curationsoft
    show them your website to showcase your skills. you should be proud of the things that you had made.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Didn't you post a while back that you have a fitness product o clickbank? Don't bring up your sites unless asked and focus on products rather than opinions.

    Why would anyone put "internet marketer" on an application? Using that leads to people asking "tell me more". You can say "self employed" and if asked you can say you have a fitness product you sell. I would never use IMer or 'entrepreneur' on an application.

    You can say you are self employed and sell products online or that you design websites - those are not untrue.

    I would think these folks would be more interested in your driving and criminal history than anything. One problem might be lack of employer references which the "self employed" answers would address.

    Give it a shot - the worst that can happen is you don't get that job.
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  • Profile picture of the author GforceSage
    Don't mention anything related to having a website on your resume. Just mention that you are in marketing. That is a broad term and can be translated to mean many things including that, "You help get items sold that you market." If the job is not related to IM, than chances are the questioning will not be too involved in that area.

    Also, a note of interest, the courts just recently ruled that employers or potential employers have no right to ask for any of your passwords or log-in info if they want to check out your social profiles. Also, in California, as of February 1, 2012, no employer can run a credit check on you.
    If you apply for a job and find that the potential employer did a credit check and you believe you were denied a job because of that, you now have grounds for a discrimination lawsuit. New little things that have gone down recently in our ever-changing society.

    In short, don't bring it up and it shouldn't be an issue.

    Best of luck to you! I have been part of the Olympic Vibe and it's a blast!
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    If it comes up, then you could say these are sites you have worked on (which you have). You don't have to mention that you own the sites, or that the potentially controversial opinions belong to you.
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  • Profile picture of the author talfighel
    If you are applying for a driving job and also have a few websites online that you earn some money from, it is none of their business on what you are doing on the side. If they ask you for a resume, then go ahead and create one for them but what does your websites have to do with applying for your job?
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    • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
      Originally Posted by Art of Marketing View Post


      People will try to "sum" you up from a single online entity and that could be in any niche at all or a feeder site or something like squeeze page, a squidoo lens, or affiliate review site and you know they do not understand the bigger picture.

      -Art
      Yeh, people don't understand shit! They'll instantly size you up based on how flashy your website looks. When they see a simple plain-text website, they're likely to go "what the f is this guy doing? Look at that cheap-ass website with nothing but words, har har har"

      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      Didn't you post a while back that you have a fitness product o clickbank? Don't bring up your sites unless asked and focus on products rather than opinions.
      Wha? You been following me around? I don't post here much. Not sure if I should be flattered or concerned. You're not a fan of my loserdom are you?

      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post


      Why would anyone put "internet marketer" on an application? Using that leads to people asking "tell me more". You can say "self employed" and if asked you can say you have a fitness product you sell. I would never use IMer or 'entrepreneur' on an application.
      .
      Now that you mention it, I'm thinking I might have done it differently. I put down "Small Business Owner in Information Marketing" :s. Let's just hope they ARE more interested in my driving and.... wait.... "criminal" history???!! Ummm.... where did I put those tax forms again?

      Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

      If it comes up, then you could say these are sites you have worked on (which you have). You don't have to mention that you own the sites, or that the potentially controversial opinions belong to you.
      Yeh, I was thinking another option was to point to some other really established site that LOOKS flashy, and tell 'em "there's my site, go check it out"... how they gona know it ain't mine? I'm applying for a DRIVING job for cryin' out loud, lol.

      Originally Posted by TravisO View Post

      I don't think they will look for your some of your web projects.

      Here's the style, wait for them to ask. If they don't ask for your website portfolio then it's good.

      But if they would ask, hmmmm.... I don't know what to do.
      Maybe you just tell them you are expert on websites and show your skill to them. That might work.
      errrr say what? lol I had to thank you for that one, made me laugh. Heck, I'll pull out my laptop and show them how I put up a wordpress site in 30-minutes flat. Do it in the car while they're testing my driving skills, I'll show them how good I am at multi-tasking and driving without looking.

      Originally Posted by talfighel View Post

      If you are applying for a driving job and also have a few websites online that you earn some money from, it is none of their business on what you are doing on the side. If they ask you for a resume, then go ahead and create one for them but what does your websites have to do with applying for your job?
      Ye're right. Only reason I mentioned the IM job is I've been at it for the last 3 years. I felt I had to show 'em I was doing SOMETHING these past few years, or I'd just come across as a lazy ol' bum.
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      • Profile picture of the author TravisO
        Originally Posted by Snow_Predator View Post

        errrr say what? lol I had to thank you for that one, made me laugh. Heck, I'll pull out my laptop and show them how I put up a wordpress site in 30-minutes flat. Do it in the car while they're testing my driving skills, I'll show them how good I am at multi-tasking and driving without looking.
        It depends on the situation buddy. I didn't say that it will work. It's just an advise. Why don't you try? I guess it won't work for you though!
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  • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
    "Yeh, I was thinking another option was to point to some other really established site that LOOKS flashy, and tell 'em "there's my site, go check it out"... how they gona know it ain't mine? I'm applying for a DRIVING job for cryin' out loud, lol."

    I would not condone doing THAT. I'd bet that they will be more stringent about hiring because it is for the Olympics and the terrorism concerns.

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  • Profile picture of the author hsbinmarket
    U just mention the truth, because truth always wins.

    U may say I have this/that website. (As u have)

    U may say I have no website, and its possible to do IM without website. Tell them some process in brief so that they can understand.

    U may say I have website with my pen name, because I like to avoid people about my skill.

    Keep in mind "truth always wins !"
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  • Profile picture of the author Igor Fridrihs
    I used to work in Russia for 10 years. Russians are friendly people and I don't think absence of website can be a reason reject you as a candidate, unless they hire you for website creation.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt@viewswin
    Some driving jobs are pretty high security. Depending who your driving around, but if they figure out that you do websites I doubt you will even get an interview. The last thing they will want is some fool blogging and posting information that he hears in the cars. (Depending on who you are driving)! I would hide it
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    • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
      Originally Posted by TravisO View Post

      It depends on the situation buddy. I didn't say that it will work. It's just an advise. Why don't you try? I guess it won't work for you though!
      Apologies Travis, just having a laugh, didn't mean to offend. Thanks for the suggestion

      Originally Posted by Servicy View Post

      I used to work in Russia for 10 years. Russians are friendly people and I don't think absence of website can be a reason reject you as a candidate, unless they hire you for website creation.
      I'm gona be driving Americans around, lol minimal contact with Russians. Though I damn well intend on getting out there and getting to know some good Russian folk.
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  • Profile picture of the author HypnoHugh
    I would think that what your websites are about is not relevant to a driving job!
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  • Profile picture of the author rleejr
    Since it's a driving job, I do not think they would dwell more on your website. I think it would be useless to discuss how IM marketing works as well, since you won't be needing that experience in driving.

    If they do ask about it (say they're just that curious), just say that you help certain clients with their own sites, that way you won't need to disclose your own. If they ask what your client's sites are, just inform them you are not allowed to do so, even if you wanted to say something about it.

    Then the trick would be to take control of the interview and change the topic as to why you'd be a good driver.


    Hope that helps!
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    • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
      Originally Posted by rleejr View Post

      Since it's a driving job, I do not think they would dwell more on your website. I think it would be useless to discuss how IM marketing works as well, since you won't be needing that experience in driving.

      If they do ask about it (say they're just that curious), just say that you help certain clients with their own sites, that way you won't need to disclose your own. If they ask what your client's sites are, just inform them you are not allowed to do so, even if you wanted to say something about it.

      Then the trick would be to take control of the interview and change the topic as to why you'd be a good driver.


      Hope that helps!
      Awesome suggestion there rleejr. I'll see if I can work that one into my explanation on the day. The interview is on Saturday morning, wish me luck. I'll let everyone here know how it goes.

      You're right that my websites are not one bit relevant to the position. I'm worried about just what you said - what if they're curious, and I end up coming across all secretive?
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  • Profile picture of the author Snow_Predator
    Alright, just to let everyone know, I've had the interview. It went well. As I feared, I did have to spend quite a bit of time explaining what I do. Even though it's a driving job, they still want to make sure that you're not a lazy bum who's been sitting around doing jack all for the last 3 years.

    I took the advice of rleejr above (thanks dude) and avoided mentioning that I have any websites. I simply told them that I hire a team of experts to put together information products for other people who have websites.

    Whether I get the job or not will depend on how reliable a person they think I am, since they'll be providing for flights and accommodation.

    Thank you all for your help.
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