Although many recruiters specifically request that your resume doesn’t exceed one page, this can feel practically impossible as a creative who is trying to showcase their skills.
Incorporating a link to an online portfolio in your resume gives readers the opportunity to have a look at some examples of previous projects you’ve worked on and see your skills firsthand.
This approach is becoming increasingly popular and 59% of hiring managers now say that they prefer visual resumes, such as portfolios, over traditional resumes.
To take your job applications to the next level and show recruiters evidence of your potential, let’s discuss how you can get started creating an online portfolio of your very own.
The Benefits of Adding an Online Portfolio to Your Resume
Since the job market is so competitive at the moment, finding ways to stand out from other applicants is essential. Adding an online portfolio to your resume offers a range of benefits:
- Not being restricted to one page. When you are looking to showcase your experience, a one-page resume can feel impossible. Not being able to talk about projects you’ve worked on and the skills you have to offer makes it tricky to show off your potential, which is why the addition of a portfolio can open up new opportunities.
- Proof of your skills in action. Since 72% of people in the US admit to lying on their resume, it’s no wonder recruiters are reluctant to believe applicants based on a written list of their skills alone. Having proof of your previous work to back up your resume helps build trust and show your genuine suitability for the role.
- Creates a more memorable application. Looking through hundreds of resumes can be a mind-numbing task, and applications are bound to blend into one another. By providing an online portfolio filled with eye-catching visuals and engaging storytelling, your application is much more likely to stick in the mind of the recruiter and give you a competitive edge.
How to Set Up Your Online Portfolio
To get started on your online portfolio and take your job applications to the next level, here are the first steps you need to take when setting up a portfolio to showcase your skills:
Choose the best portfolio builder
There are a large number of website builders to choose from, and to pick the best one for you, you need to know exactly what you’re looking for.
The most important factor is the level of web design experience you have. If you have no idea where to start, you’ll be best off finding a templated portfolio builder that uses a drag-and-drop interface, or working alongside an experienced web designer to build a custom solution of your own.
Your budget will be a big decider when comparing the different website builders available to you. Many platforms offer free and low-cost solutions, but are likely to come with hidden fees if you want to use their more premium features.
Once you choose an option that aligns with your budget and technical abilities, you can start producing a professional portfolio that showcases your talent. A good approach is to familiarize yourself with the platform you’ve chosen through a free trial before committing to a paid package, ensuring it is a good fit.
Pick the most appropriate hosting plan
The provider you pick to host your website defines the way your online portfolio will perform. There are various types of hosting available, each at different price points, but some may sacrifice site performance and stability. Let’s discuss some of the most popular options.
- Shared hosting. Often being the cheaper solution, shared hosting is a popular choice for job hunters who have a small online portfolio. Since multiple websites are sharing the same server resources, the cost is kept low, but it does mean that performance can be affected if other sites experience a spike in traffic.
- VPS hosting. Being a good middle option, VPS hosting plans offer dedicated resources on a shared server. Since each site has an allocated amount of space, this is a more reliable solution since the performance of your site will not be impacted by external factors.
- Dedicated hosting. If you have a large portfolio that experiences a large amount of traffic, dedicated hosting is more likely to be the best option since it gives you control over an entire server. This offers optimum performance and the most secure protection since there are no other websites sharing the same server space.
Structure your portfolio
Before you jump straight to uploading examples of your past projects to your portfolio, take a step back and consider how you actually want your online portfolio to look.
The structure defines what a recruiter will see when they first open your portfolio and what route they are likely to take when navigating the site. This is why making sure the navigation is clear to follow is a hugely important aspect.
Start by deciding how many items your portfolio will contain and how you are going to organize them. Some people choose to create a concise one-page portfolio that can be scrolled through, others choose to split projects into groups, and some create individual pages for each.
Since the aim is to create an aesthetically pleasing online space that allows recruiters to easily see your capabilities, avoid overcrowding pages or overwhelming your readers with information overload, as this can quickly make them click straight off of your site.
4 Things Not to Forget in Your Online Portfolio
When job hunters get stuck into creating their online portfolio, it can be easy to get carried away and miss out on some of the most impactful parts. To help ensure your portfolio perfectly complements your resume and makes a strong impression on recruiters, here are four things to make sure that you include:
1. A clear introduction about what you do
Although it may be obvious to you, you need to remember that the recruiters arriving at your online portfolio currently have no idea who you are and what your specialisms are.
Your portfolio should give recruiters an understanding of exactly what job roles you are looking for and where your skills lie.
2. High-quality imagery
The visuals are the star of the show in your portfolio, so you need to ensure you are not cutting corners when uploading your images.
Stay clear of screenshots or low-resolution files that can make your work appear unprofessional. Instead, upload the highest quality files possible and make sure they are formatted to fit the size of the page.
3. Statistics to show the impact of your work
As much as your previous work may look great, a recruiter needs to gain an understanding of the project as a whole and how it performed.
Numbers are a great way to provide evidence of how effective your work can be, so if you have any statistics to show engagement rate, revenue growth, or time saved, make sure to include these to highlight the scale of your achievements.
4. Testimonials from previous clients
Accompanying a project case study with a testimonial from the client themselves is a great way to show that you have gone above and beyond to create satisfied clients.
If you have access to any quotes that show that you’ve delivered great results and exceeded expectations, make sure to include them, as this can have a huge impact and help show off your expertise.
Making Sure Your Job Application is One to Remember
Applying for jobs online is becoming increasingly challenging as the landscape becomes more and more competitive and your resume gets swallowed up among the others.
To make sure your application stands out without going over the common one-page limit, the addition of an online portfolio can help you show recruiters exactly what you have to offer them.
Creating an online portfolio with a clear navigation structure, clear storytelling of successful projects you’ve worked on, and impressive visuals means your application is much more likely to stick in the minds of recruiters and get you through to the next stage of the process.
