If you're looking for a new job or want to showcase your skills and achievements, displaying your work online can be a great way to stand out from the crowd. But how do you create an online portfolio that showcases your best work and attracts the right attention? Here are some tips to help you display your work online effectively.
Depending on your industry, skills, and goals, you might want to choose a different platform to display your work online. For example, if you're a graphic designer, you might want to use a visual platform like Behance or Dribbble. If you're a writer, you might want to use a blogging platform like Medium or WordPress. If you're a developer, you might want to use a code-sharing platform like GitHub or CodePen. The key is to choose a platform that suits your work style, showcases your strengths, and reaches your target audience.
Since 95% of the Fortune 500 use LinkedIn to source talent, I'm sticking with LinkedIn. You can display your work through: 1 - Featured content, including links to websites or off-platform articles of relevance 2 - You can add media links or details to the bottom of each job in the Experience section 3 - You can create original posts sharing accomplishments (that keep your network informed) 4 - You can share off-platform content
Once you've chosen a platform, you need to decide what content to include in your online portfolio. You don't have to include everything you've ever done, but rather focus on the most relevant, recent, and impressive projects that demonstrate your skills and value. Think about the kind of work you want to do and the kind of employers you want to attract, and tailor your content accordingly. For each project, include a brief description, the main objectives, the results, and any feedback or recognition you received. You can also link to other sources of information, such as testimonials, references, or publications.
For me the key is to remember a few things: 1 - don't post on anything that alienates half the population 2 - only share things you would be comfortable discussing with EVERYONE in your work office or company 3 - document, don't create content What I mean by this is it is easier to post original content when you share the things that happen (or happened) in your life - especially if they are some what relevant (and including somewhat personal).
The way you present your content can make a big difference in how your online portfolio is perceived. You want to create a layout that is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and consistent with your personal brand. You can use templates or themes provided by your platform, or customize them to suit your preferences. Some elements to consider are the color scheme, the fonts, the images, the navigation menu, and the contact details. You can also add some personality and creativity to your layout, as long as it doesn't distract from your work or make it hard to read.
To make sure your online portfolio gets noticed and ranked by search engines, you need to optimize it for SEO (search engine optimization). This means using keywords, titles, tags, and descriptions that match the terms that your potential employers or clients might use to find you. You also need to make sure your portfolio is responsive, meaning that it adapts to different screen sizes and devices. This will ensure that your portfolio looks good and functions well on any platform.
Your online portfolio is not a static document that you create once and forget about. It's a dynamic showcase of your work that needs to be updated regularly. You should add new projects as you complete them, remove outdated or irrelevant ones, and refresh your layout and design as needed. You should also check your portfolio for any errors, broken links, or feedback that you might have missed. Updating your portfolio will help you keep it relevant, current, and engaging.
The final step to display your work online is to promote it and share it with your network. You can use social media, email, blogs, or other channels to spread the word about your portfolio and invite people to check it out. You can also link your portfolio to your resume, cover letter, or online profiles, such as LinkedIn or Twitter. Promoting your portfolio will help you increase your visibility, build your reputation, and generate more opportunities for your career.