Do you remember the days when you collected items related to your experiences, successes, and examples of work and kept them in a bulky three-ring binder? You would lug it from interview to interview and keep it updated and refreshed.
Well, my friends, those days are over. I hope I’m not the first to break it to you, but the old-school portfolio has gone digital.
If you still have a big bulky binder, scan whatever is worth saving and throw out the old relic. It’s time to get online!
An online portfolio, related specifically to careers and job searching, is a repository of references, certificates, work history, social media links, and the like.
In some cases, LinkedIn can be used as an online portfolio, but it has some limitations. Kuder Navigator® and Kuder Journey® allow you to store references, various social media links, and resumes as well as favorited occupations, schools, majors, and assessment results. You have the choice to make all or none of the information public.
Let’s face it: it’s difficult to present the full picture of you are and what you’ve got to contribute to a potential employer strictly within the confines of an interview, resume, or cover letter.
An online portfolio establishes your personal brand. It exemplifies who you are and what you can contribute. This personal brand can set you apart from other applicants and provide insight into what makes you special. It demonstrates you as a remarkable individual that will add value to the company where you apply.
Include a link to your portfolio in your resume and send your interviewer a link to your online portfolio in a follow-up thank-you note as a way of sharing your work and successes.
It can be frustrating to fill out job applications when you don’t have a list of your work history, dates of employment, and accomplishments handy.
Enter the online portfolio – your best friend when it comes to staying organized during a job hunt.
When you store your references, job history, skills, memberships, experiences, competencies, certifications, and other pertinent documents or videos in a single – online – location, you can easily access this information from an Internet-enabled device. Simply copy and paste portions into your resume, online job applications, and cover letters.
Are you “visible” to prospective employers online? Prospective employers often conduct an Internet search of your name during the vetting process.
Be sure to make a good first impression. In order to establish your professional social media account as the primary search result, make an effort to update it on a consistent basis.
The more you update your profile, share posts, and use an online portfolio, the more likely it will be the primary search result.
Be sure to keep your personal social media accounts private and Google yourself often during your job hunt to make sure you get the desired results.
When you’re in the midst of a job hunt, there’s perhaps no better way to boost your confidence than by reviewing your (well-executed) portfolio. Look at it often because it can serve as a good reminder you how amazing you really are.
This recorded history will help you remember how amazing you are and everything you’ve accomplished, which in turn will help you speak about yourself with confidence and authority in interviews.
