So you’ve spent this semester sorting through the plethora of advice we’ve given on this blog and what has that all prepared you for? Creating a website of your own.
An online portfolio can come in the form of either a blog or personal website. Trust me- it is going to be hugely beneficial when you enter into the job market. If you can create an interactive environment that displays the work you have accomplished both professionally and academically it is going to set you apart from the other thousands of college graduates across the country searching for employment in May. In 2011, people want things instantaneously at their fingertips, and that includes employers. If you can email them your link that may even be more convenient than providing a hard copy to sit in a pile on their desk.
Freelance Switch provides 9 easy steps for creating a “Killer Online Portfolio”:
1. Ask the question – You need to be sure your website readily answers any and all questions potentially employers are going to want answered.
2. Focus on simplicity – Make sure your blog is easy not only to navigate, but to read as well. You also may want to simply address the fact that you are in fact looking for employment.
3. Optimize your ‘About’ page – Address concerns including: who you are, what are your experiences/ qualifications, what work you are looking for, examples of previous work, etc.
4. Clear means of contact – Consider including a tab solely dedicated to the most accessible way of getting in touch with you
5. Create a dedicated ‘Hire [insert you name]’ page – This can be a further expansion of your ‘About’ page
6. Show off the skills you’re selling – If you are looking for a photography job, be sure your website is centralized around that, and not graphic design pieces you have created. Be careful to advertise the assets you are looking to pursue in the future. You also want to be sure not to over-provide examples, because time is of the essence, and people are only going to dedicate a set amount to your site.
7. Tell stories people want to hear – Anything worthy of an employer may be personalized but should also include experience you gained in the process.
8. Build traffic to your site – Make the existence of your site known, through both word of both and advertising on other social networking sites
9. Add a dose of SEO – Be sure to add words that are going to optimize your site for search engines, which will also in turn generate more traffic
In creating my own portfolio online one major take-away I’ve gained is the message that simplicity is essential. Complex backgrounds, fonts, and coloring are going to distract people from the most important content on the page, and that is your accomplishments! Another crucial element to be cautious of is the implementation of the “three click rule”. If information is of the utmost importance, it must be accessible on your site in three clicks or less; however, the fewer, the better.
It is also important to separate information in order for the reader to pay attention to each significant portion. If someone is looking at a giant blob of text, there are highly unlikely to muddle through in its entirety. Freelance Switch recommends grouping information into blocks of 5-9 pieces, in order for the data to be retained in one’s short term memory.
Here is a link to my personal blog, hope this helps: My Blog! - Amanda
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Your online portfolio is going to be key in getting you a job. Just showing that you have an online portfolio puts you above your competition by proving that you have a lot of experience and knowledge regarding your future career. An online portfolio is the perfect place to showcase yourself, your experience and your writing samples and demo reel. This form of online resume makes it easier for a potential employer to easily view your credentials and gain a better overall understanding of what kind of person you are. No need to spend money on your online portfolio, simply create one on a website like this one. Blogger, weebly, and wordress are a couple examples of online blogs that you can use to display your credentials. If you would like to spend money of course creating and paying for your own website is sufficient as well and even may look more professional. Regardless of what you choose to do make sure your online portfolio has all of your previous work that exemplifies the work you have done. Provide contact information, your resume, your goals, writing samples, a demo reel, any links to websites your involved and and don't forget to showcase yourself in the best way possible. Many potential employers are going to be looking at your portfolio so it needs to be perfect. Good Luck -Alycia
