“Online portfolios are a make or break.” “They’re the way to get your name out there and a foot in the door.” You’ve heard professors and professionals say these words time and time again. Websites and online portfolios are a quintessential part of being a student and a young professional so its important to make yours stand out. You know that having a prideful e-portfolio is important, but what exactly should you put on your page?
About Me
This is the perfect place to tell potential employers who you are and what you can do. It can include where your from, your favorite past times or a fun fact. It is always good to include your school name, major and expected graduation time. Additionally, be sure to include your career related goals so that employers can sense if you would be a good fit for their company. What industry do you want to work in? What city do you want to work in?Agency or in-house?
For example, “I aspire to work in at a large technology public relations agency in Chicago upon graduation.”
Work Samples
Only include your best work. If you aren’t proud of and passionate about a sample, it’s not worth showing to a potential employer. Pick out your best and brightest pieces and show them off. You can use samples from classes or internships if you have had any. It is always good to show a variety of skills. For example, a news release to show writing, an infographic to show design and an PR plan to show strategic thinking. A wide range of samples shows all of your different skills and attributes. Just be careful not to crowd your page with too many work samples.
Resume
Include a tab for your resume where you can upload it as an image and link to the PDF. This way if your work samples draw in a potential employer they can learn even more about you and your experience.
Contact
The addition of a “contact” section on your website ensures that anyone who wants to reach out can. You can include a contact form available through many hosting sites, such as WordPress and Square Space, that allows visitors to put their information and a brief description of why they want to get in contact with you. You can also just add your email, LinkedIn or phone number for contact. If you really want to cover your bases, do both!
Online portfolios allow you to connect with professionals and show off all of your talents and skills. They are a great way to incorporate who you are into what you do. When creating an e-portfolio, however, it is important to keep it up-to-date. If a potential employer looks you up online and finds your portfolio with a resume from 2015, and work samples to match, they aren’t seeing your best and brightest work. Every time you have a new piece that makes you glow, add it on! Every time you have a new, stunning version of your resume, update it! Just make sure as you add you look through your older pieces and determine if they are still relevant.
Most of all, remember that online portfolios are all about you…so have fun with them!
Written by Sophie Ey