Your online portfolio (could also be called an e-portfolio) is a representation of your work, skills, and experiences, however you want all of that presented. Besides, it is not something that only photographers, fashion designers, filmmakers, visual artists, and the like use to display their works and showcase their accomplishments.
But it is not just the so called creatives who are tapping into this tool's career-promoting potential. Are you aware that there are professionals such as engineers, computer scientists, and academics who build e-portfolios as well?
You have a choice of platform:
- Website
- Blog
- Video channel (i.e. YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)
Possible e-portfolio content:
- Resume
- Summary of qualifications and skills
- Images of class projects projects or design samples
- Audio and video
- Charts and schematics
- Process flows
Top 10 Tips for Creating Your Portfolio
- Choose the BEST samples of your work, not all of them.
- Use clear images (hi-resolution, if possible) and stay positive in all aspects.
- Know your audience. This means tailor your portfolio to what your target employer, client, or organization is looking for.
- Make sure your portfolio is easy to navigate, as well as renderable across different browsers.
- Have your peers, professionals, mentors provide constructive feedback.
- Revisit your content on a regular basis.
- If you have a lengthy project you would like to showcase, document progress without having to wait till its completion. Document the project's "evolution" by showing your audience the start to finish.
- Stay current on industry trends and other portfolios.
- It is good practice to maintain a couple of versions: (1) Master portfolio or some kind of "working copy" or backup to store all your content. (2) Client-facing or publicly shared copy--for obvious reasons.
- Promote your brand. Instead of simply just drive traffic to it, add the URL to your resume/CV, business cards, social media, etc.
Source: Tufts University Career Center
