How to best showcase your skills and experience in a dynamic, personal way
It’s hard to stand out when applying for and interviewing for jobs these days. You may apply for a position you found advertised on LinkedIn. It seems perfect for you. You have all the skills and experience required and then some, plus you know you would fit into the company culture brilliantly. But you are up against many other candidates who feel the same way and have similar experience. How do you distinguish yourself from the pack? One effective way is by creating an online portfolio that can showcase you more wholistically than just a resumé/CV can.
An online portfolio is a website where your resumé/CV can reside, along with samples of your work, including everything from writing samples, videos and photography to marketing campaigns and annual reports. Your resumé/CV should include the online portfolio’s web address, directing employers to your portfolio, with the idea being that your resumé/CV introduces you to the employer, and then your online portfolio takes you from a two-dimensional figure in their eyes to 3D and beyond. An online portfolio done well can round you out and bring you to life, allowing you to make an impression much harder to forget than a simple list of experience can, particularly for creative job sectors.
Here are some tips for creating a strong online portfolio:
- Have an attractive, sleek, professional design. There are programs that can assist you with creating and uploading your portfolio. Choosing one of those is a good idea if you don’t have experience in simple website design or just prefer to follow an established portfolio template to follow. Your portfolio should look professional. Choose readable fonts and background colors and graphics that are sophisticated and soothing to the eye. Refrain from busy designs and bright or neon colors for background or text. Think about your “brand” and what you want to convey.
- Choose content that best represents you and your work. Remember that you are using your online portfolio as a tool to introduce yourself to your next employer. Include photos of yourself working, alone or with others, and a few paragraphs about who you are, your passions, career thus far and future aspirations. Let your personality and creativity shine through. Promote yourself and your “brand.” This is the place to brag a bit and say why you are the company’s next best hire. Remember that the work you choose to include in the portfolio should represent the breadth of your experience. A few examples of each part of your experience should be included, if possible. This gives employers a sense of your range and real capabilities in your various areas of expertise. This is your chance to curate and show off your best work.
- Organization matters. Make sure to organize your work under easily identifiable headings, such as “My Writing” or “Photography” or “Video Production,” for example. You want to make sure your online portfolio is easy to navigate. Employers are busy and need to move through resumés/CVs and portfolios with some speed, typically, so it’s best to make your portfolio as user-friendly as possible.
- Contact information should be included. Do make sure your resumé/CV is included on your online portfolio. Also, make sure that your contact information, including your email address, phone number and physical address, are prominently displayed on the portfolio. If an employer wants to get in touch with you, you want to invite them to do so and make it simple for them by putting your contact information front and center.
- Update your portfolio as needed. As is true with a resumé/CV, it’s best to always have your online portfolio updated and ready. You never know when an opportunity will present itself. You don’t want to miss out on a potential job because your online portfolio is out-of-date. It’s worth taking a little time every couple of months to update it with your latest and best work.
In today’s job market, most people apply for jobs online, which is convenient and quick, but it often leaves you feeling rather anonymous. By creating an online portfolio, you give employers an additional and more personal and dynamic way to get to know you as they review your resumé/CV. It does take time and effort to build a strong online portfolio, but once it’s done, it only requires upkeep, and the rewards are well worth it.
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