With all the digital tools available to job-hunters, maybe it’s time to consider building a digital portfolio alongside your traditional resume.
A digital portfolio is an online collection of work representing your abilities and experience as a professional in your field. Designed to be easily accessed by potential clients or employers, a digital portfolio can include many different types of content, including photographs, text, videos, interactive elements, spreadsheets and web pages.
Digital portfolios are commonly associated with professionals who work in visually oriented mediums like web design, graphic arts, architecture or video production, but you don’t need to color inside the lines when it comes to competing in the job market. A digital portfolio offers a creative and engaging way to express your skills and experiences to a prospective employer. If you’re in marketing, a digital portfolio would be a great way to showcase some past campaigns. If you’re an Excel power-user, don’t just tell the interviewer how good you are; let them see the work in action. Screenwriters live by the adage of “show, don’t tell,” and that philosophy is at the heart of an effective digital portfolio too.
Where should you start?
Your digital portfolio has the same goal as the typical resume, so you should include standard elements like your education, years of experience, notable achievements and professional associations or certifications. A list of skills and abilities wouldn’t hurt, but hopefully those will be on full display as you present your work samples. Including references is helpful, but consider taking advantage of the format to offer client reviews or even video testimonials. And don’t be the person who forgets to add their contact info.
Here are a few guidelines to create an experience that will help your portfolio’s audience see you in the very best light.
Showcase your best work
Work samples are the meat in your digital portfolio sandwich. Research from Robert Half Company found when it comes to choosing samples, eight is the lucky number. Use pieces that demonstrate your core strengths, industry experience, technical skills and overall range. In addition to the project samples, don’t forget to highlight important analytics and metrics driven by these endeavors.
Keep an eye on the big picture
Staying on-brand and professional is essential to creating a cohesive feel to your portfolio. This is a presentation of yourself, so maintaining a high and consistent standard in both content and presentation is a must.
User experience is key
Once your portfolio is finished, find a few people whose opinions you trust and let them take it for a test drive. Listen carefully to their feedback regarding ease of navigation, flow of information and the overall ability of the document to communicate your experience and capability in your field. Any barriers between the audience and that message need to be removed. An honest analysis of the user experience is a vital step in crafting an effective digital portfolio.
Regularly update and promote your portfolio
Just like a normal resume, update your digital portfolio to keep it current, and don’t miss the chance to use social media to promote these updates. You never know who might be watching!
If you’d like a step-by-step guide to building your own winning digital portfolio, you can download it here. Want to take your new digital portfolio for a spin? Apply for a position with Paycom today!
