With hiring managers now screening the social media accounts of candidates before an interview, a professional digital footprint has never been more important. You can create your own digital footprint with an online portfolio. Check out the following tips to help guide you through the kinds of things that should and shouldn’t be included:
The online or offline portfolio debate.
Whether the portfolio is online or offline doesn’t matter too much, but you will need at least one platform to showcase your work to really standout at application. However, you’ll likely receive bonus points with an online website and portfolio linked on your resume. These digital assets are highly regarded amongst employers. Check out user-friendly, free websites such as WordPress, Blogger and Wix to begin developing your online portfolio.
What to include.
Don’t forget to introduce yourself. Pitch your personal brand with confidence, write a third person bio and describe what you do and how well you do it. Then include a variety of work; usually five to seven of your most recent and best pieces. To discover your personal brand complete our Personal Branding Module on Curtin Challenge.
And what not to include.
Definitely avoid clichés and hold back on the personal information about gender and age. It’s also pretty well-known that grammar and spelling mistakes should be avoided. If you’re a Humanities student, I’m sure it’s been drilled into you throughout your degree; proofread everything and then get a fresh set of eyes to check it again, just in case.
Extra brownie points.
With the rise of the digital environment, job applications are now commonly submitted online. If you can attach an introduction in a professional video format, along with your portfolio, you could just get the job. Vlog introductions are now very common and becoming an increasingly popular way for employers to identify who the best communicators are. Want to know how you come across being interviewed? Head over to Curtin’s online interview platform for further help and practice.
Don’t vlog? Then blog.
Demonstrate some of your skills in a killer blog introduction worthy of a great elevator pitch. With a rising trend in humanities graduates who want to work as bloggers, content creators or in social media, it’s important to start practicing and demonstrating these skills early. Remember to keep personal blogs and social media sites as appropriate as possible. Seek out more professional platforms like LinkedIn to showcase your professional brand.
Haven’t begun making your digital footprint yet? Make some goals over the study break and perhaps start writing a blog, create a professional website or perfect your elevator speech. For more tips on portfolios, read Creating a Standout Portfolio – Part One.
