The $30 Career Move That Can Put You Ahead of AI Layoffs

In This Article, You’ll Learn:

• Why a website is more effective than a resume alone
• The exact steps to build one with AI support tools
• How a personal site makes recruiters’ jobs easier
• How to design it so it feels like a “living interview”

Tech layoffs are everywhere. AI is changing how entire departments operate. And if you work in support, operations, or even technical roles, the question is unavoidable: how do I make myself harder to replace?

According to TechCrunch more than 80,000 tech workers were laid off in the first half of 2025. Business Insider adds that as many as 41% of companies world-wide are considering workforce reductions tied to AI adoption.

With AI entering the work space more and more, it's easy to fall into despair. While some may lament this new technology, others lean into it and find ways to make themselves valuable in spite of it.

Here’s one surprisingly affordable and high-impact move: build your own professional website.

For about $20–$30 and a week or two of effort (or less if you keep it simple), you can create something that instantly puts you ahead of the curve.

1. Expand your skillset.
   Building a site forces you to learn — from design choices to basic coding, or even better, how to leverage AI tools to get it done. These are transferable skills you can carry into any job.
2. Master AI coordination.
   Instead of fearing AI, use it. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or Grok can help you draft copy, create visuals, and even generate code. The process itself is a crash course in how to work with AI instead of competing against it.
3. Go beyond the two-page resume.
   A Word doc can only do so much. A website gives you space to showcase projects, skills, achievements, and even your personality.
4. Stand out in a crowded field.
   Thousands of applicants are hitting the same job boards after layoffs. A personal site makes you instantly more memorable.
5. Make life easier for recruiters.
   This is the real win. A well-structured site can:
   • Showcase your portfolio and career story
   • Include recruiter-friendly contact options
   • Anticipate common interview questions with FAQ-style answers
   • Deliver everything they need in one place

---

Quick Breakdown: How to Build Your Own Site
Phase One - Setup

• Get AI support tools – VS Code with GitHub Copilot (~$10–15/month).
• Create a free GitHub account.
• Clone a repository in VS Code to connect your project to GitHub.
• Create a system prompt in a notepad file. Saved it in your project folder. This includes your AI rules, color palate, notes, memories for your Co-Pilot to follow etc.
• Let AI do the coding – VS Code is powered by copilots that include Chat GPT, Gemini, Claude & Grok. They can directly edit and code inside your project folder.

---

Phase Two - Go Live

• Push your changes back to GitHub via Copilot.
• Buy a domain name (Namecheap often has options starting around $5).
• Use Netlify (free tier available) to connect your GitHub repo to your domain.
• Ask Copilot for step-by-step help — it can walk you through hosting and deployment.

---

Optional Enhancements

• Perform QA: keep your code organized, divided into clear sections, and well-notated.
• Use AI to add SEO meta tags and descriptions.
• Test responsiveness across desktop, tablet, and phone.
• Ask Copilot for help modularizing the site for better maintenance and performance.

---

The Takeaway
You don’t need to spend thousands or wait for permission. For the cost of a takeout dinner and a little time, you can build a platform that proves adaptability, highlights your skills, and shows you’re already ahead of the AI curve.

In a job market shaped by automation, your website isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the move that could make all the difference.

Question for readers: If you were to build your own professional website this month, what’s the first thing you’d want recruiters to see?