For job seekers, an online portfolio and a professional resume can be a winning combination. Together, they help potential employers get a comprehensive idea of who you are as a professional. By making sure your resume and portfolio are two distinct items, you can reduce repetition and show off your skills.
A professional resume consists entirely of text. Its purpose is to demonstrate to an employer that you have the necessary skills and experience required to perform a job. An online portfolio acts as proof of the claims you make in your resume.
One of the main differences between a resume and an online portfolio is the visual elements. A portfolio is highly visual, particularly for creative professionals. It should contain the samples of your work that best show off your skills. On a resume, you might claim to be an expert in Adobe Illustrator; in a portfolio, you'd include a sample of a vector illustration that you completed in Adobe Illustrator.
A resume is more concise than an online portfolio. In general, an employer will spend only seconds on your resume; as such, it should be easy to find crucial information with a quick scan. An effective resume has a clear information hierarchy and short lines of text. A portfolio, on the other hand, may include longer paragraphs that explain each project. It can also contain more specific information about past clients, budgets and production information. On a resume, you might list, "Directed high-budget films for corporate clients." For a portfolio, you can display your most impressive video, list the client name, note the budget, and explain the process.
If you are applying to large corporations, your resume should contain keywords that will rank high in each company's hiring software. It should use keyword phrases that are specific to an individual company and job description. An online portfolio should also be optimized, but with general search engines in mind. Your search engine optimization strategy should be focused around general terms for the career you want to find. A graphic designer, for example, might optimize with keywords like "graphic design," "health care graphic design," and "Los Angeles graphic designer."
A online portfolio gives you the chance to show off your personality. According to Forbes magazine, the design you choose and the professional bio you write can help employers understand who you are.
A successful resume, on the other hand, usually follows a standard format and uses relatively formal language. It doesn't leave much room for personalization. In general logos, graphics or colors on a resume are seen as unprofessional. In a portfolio, they are expected.
An online portfolio should never be a repeat of your resume. Instead, use the opportunity to show off your best work and prove your skills. By writing a powerful, concise resume and building a beautiful portfolio, you'll automatically gain the edge over other job candidates.
(Photo courtesy of stockimages / freedigitalphotos.net)
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