How to Create a Digital Portfolio for Job Applications

Overall summary of the instructions

Creating a digital portfolio for job applications involves collecting your best work samples, choosing a website builder, designing your site, and organizing your samples effectively. A digital portfolio allows recruiters to easily access your work and can help make your interview process more efficient and impressive.

TLDR

1. Collect your best work samples.
2. Choose a free website builder like WordPress, Weebly, or Wix.
3. Design your website with user experience in mind.
4. Organize your samples by industry or chronologically.
5. Add information about your samples.
6. Create hidden tabs for employer-specific portfolios.

Step-by-step detailed guide

1. Collate the strongest work samples

First, decide on the samples that effectively illustrate your capabilities. Choose pieces that are no more than five years old and ensure you have permission to publish them online.

2. Choose a free website builder

Use a free website builder to set up your portfolio. Some popular options include:

• WordPress
• Weebly
• Wix

3. Design your website

Pick a design template that offers the best user experience and represents your professional self. Consider including the following elements:

• A landing page with a summary of your professional story.
• Subpages organized according to your skills and other relevant experiences.
• Contact information, such as your email address and LinkedIn profile.

4. Organize your samples

There are two effective ways to organize your samples:

• Industry-specific: If you have worked in multiple sectors, organize your samples by industry to showcase your cross-industry experience.
• Chronological: Useful for those starting out, arranging samples chronologically with the most recent at the top allows hirers to see your professional progress.

5. Add information about your samples

Provide context and information for each sample to showcase your work effectively. Ensure you describe your role, the skills you used, and the results of your work, but be mindful of any non-disclosure agreements.

6. Create hidden tabs for employer-specific portfolios

To tailor your portfolio for specific job applications, create hidden tabs or separate pages with samples most relevant to the job. This allows you to present a customized portfolio while keeping your general portfolio intact.