It’s time to enhance your investment. You’ve committed to several years of higher education. Many students hope to become more employable or to master a subject area. The value of you and your brand is key. That is why it is important to start showcasing your efforts. You may have a LinkedIn account or recently beefed up your resume, but to really stand out to employers, you need to provide them with instant access to your strengths. A digital portfolio will allow you to organize your work and achievements with visual appeal.
It is fairly simple to create a portfolio. The difficult part is engaging your visitors and selling your skills. Here is what you need to know to get started:
- Secure your domain. When putting together your portfolio, choose a URL that is easy to remember like your first and last name.
- Choose your format. Portfolios generally come in one of two varieties, a blog or website.
- Build your brand. This part is where most of the work comes in. Your “about me” page or your resume needs to be front and center. The information you provide needs to answer all of the potential questions a hiring manager may have while also persuading them you’re the “one”.
- Create a visual experience. While text goes a long way, you need to incorporate some examples of your work that can connect the visitor on an emotional level. The use of pictures, videos, graphs, or other analytical data can help reinforce your involvement in a project.
- Test your site. Once you have your portfolio up and running, it is important to measure your return. Are people visiting your site? How long are they sticking around? Where are they spending the most time? You can do this by using a service like Google Analytics to track your website traffic.
Don’t expect to complete your digital portfolio in a day. This is an ongoing project that should display your work on a regular basis. Keep it current, simple, and professional.
By Robin Adney
Online Learning Tips, Special Contributor
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