Creating a digital portfolio

The way we brand and represent ourselves to employers has become an interactive experience. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of potential employees competing for the same position, so it is necessary to find ways to stand out from the crowd.

In many cases, a company will make initial decisions based on a portfolio or resume before ever meeting with most of the candidates. Although you can understand a lot about a person through his experiences and products, having a social and engaging portfolio can also generate respect and curiosity about the overall character of a potential new hire.

The most popular way for creative individuals to get noticed by employers is through digital branding. Portfolios are excellent assessment tools for employers. They allow companies to view the best examples of a candidate's progress, work and creativity. In today's job market, having a digital portfolio is a great advantage because they can be easily duplicated, shared and edited.

Before you create your own digital portfolio, have a well-considered strategy. Planning out the design and layout of your branding tool will improve your chances of creating an interactive experience for employers.

There are many parts of a professional portfolio that must translate onto a digital medium. A common mistake beginners make is starting from scratch when converting their portfolio into an online format. A great way to start is by signing up for an account on one of the many online portfolio hosting services available. Although it won't be as personalized as an individually designed outlet, it will help organize and prepare your content.

It is easy to get caught up in the overall design of your portfolio, but inventing a site that upstages the actual work is not a great approach when trying to promote your specific projects. A clear and easily accessible digital portfolio that presents content in a professional and minimal manner often does the trick. Choosing pieces and putting them in an order that helps tell a natural story, or goes with a theme, is a great way to grab and keep attention.

A great way to incorporate all of the necessary components of a successful job application is by hyper linking your resume and cover letter to your portfolio. Creating a one-stop destination for employers to view your entire self-promoting package in a cohesively designed manner helps to display your ability to conceptualize a broader picture - something most employers look for in a portfolio.