Do you have a collection of your strongest creative projects? Are you ready to showcase your design skills to potential clients or employers? Then you need a portfolio.
Whether you are a fresh graduate, in-between job, or looking to leave a toxic workplace, a portfolio is a necessity in today’s job market. However, while in the past portfolios were used only during interviews to create a good impression, that has changed.
First impressions are no longer happening in the interview room; they take place online. And digital portfolios are a part of this change. Digital portfolios have become a valuable tool to track academic and professional progress and give you a competitive edge among other contenders.
An online portfolio is no longer just for certain areas or industries. The importance of a professional online presence is more important than ever and an online portfolio will surely boost your visibility and exposure.
In this guest post, we will give insight into digital portfolios, why they are important, and how you can successfully create one for yourself.
What is a digital portfolio?
A digital portfolio is a one-stop place to organize your skills and accomplishments in a visually appealing, professional, and creative way. This is a brief visual representation of who you are and what value you can add to the company.
Unlike a traditional portfolio, a digital portfolio exists online and is therefore easy to share. This is an online collection of your best work to date that puts your skills to the test in front of potential employers. To create this, all you need is a reliable internet connection to facilitate your research and creation process. We suggest opting for a fast, reliable internet connection such as that of Cox. Additionally, their Cox internet plans are budget-friendly and they also offer bundle deals to their customers.
A strong digital portfolio is very important for creative people. It allows you to advertise yourself beyond what you can achieve in a cover letter or resume and provides a platform to display qualifications and skills that might be difficult to present in writing.
A well-designed online portfolio is the most powerful tool in any job seeker’s arsenal.
Tips for creating a digital portfolio
While creating a portfolio isn’t difficult, to increase the odds of getting the recruiter’s attention it will help to have some tips on hand. Whether you create a website or drive folder, these tips will help increase your chances of landing the job.
1. Select good samples
Examples of previous work are an important part of the portfolio. This is your chance to show your clients what you are capable of with the projects you have worked on. Whether you’re a writer, graphic designer, or project manager, work samples can be helpful to showcase a range of skills.
You want to make sure you include the best examples that represent you.
If you have a particular project that has received high praise from clients, or awards or some reward, it is worth bragging about it. Include it in your portfolio and don’t forget to mark the results of your work.
2. Keep it organized
Bring organization to the presentation of your work. For instance, projects can be grouped by type of work, such as book cover design or blog writing.
You can also group projects that have similar skills. While highlighting all the important aspects of your career, focus on making it readable at all levels, including how your files are organized.
For example, if you are a writer, your portfolio might start with your shorter samples at the beginning to lure them in and introduce them to longer articles so they can be intrigued from the start. Also, make sure that the formatting is consistent and well-structured.
3. Use SEO
A search engine-optimized portfolio is also a marketing tool that can draw attention to your website and greatly increase its impact. SEO can transform your portfolio from a mere collection of your work into an impressive growth engine. The first step to driving traffic to your portfolio is to make parts of your portfolio “searchable” and open to search engines like Google using keywords. Secondly, you can use this opportunity to stand out from the crowd and tell a story. Don’t just put the results, walk the reader through your process and the impact you made,
Wrapping it up
By using these basic tips you can improve your digital portfolio and increase your chances of landing a job or project. Additionally, you can add testimonials as a cherry on top. Either way, your digital portfolio is a critical aspect of your career, so make sure you spend time on it to get the best results.