Looking for a new job can be a job in itself. Writing an application, updating your C.V, and searching through the many job portals can be exhausting and time consuming. We know how disheartening it is when you spend a lot of time on an application and then don’t even receive an invitation to an interview.

The most important thing is not to give up; don’t let rejection crush your confidence. Instead, think about how you could improve your application – what could you do to make your C.V stand out from the rest? Whether you are applying for an H.R position or a marketing role, including an online portfolio with your application is impressive and shows that you are tech savvy. What’s more, you don’t need to be a web developer to make one. Online portfolios are an effective way of showing off your skills to prospective employers and they are easy to create. Here are a few tips to consider before building your first online portfolio.

Find the Right Website Builder

Before making your first online portfolio, it is important to do some research and find the best website building company. There are many to choose from, but for an online portfolio you will want to keep it simple, with just a couple of concise pages. Blogging sites like WordPress will be your best bet for content. Web hosting companies like 1&1 offer hosting packages specially designed for WordPress projects to help you set up a blog at very little cost.

About Me

Every good online portfolio should include an ‘about me’ page. Clarity and simplicity are key here – there’s no need to give your whole life story. Start by stating how long you have been in the business and outline your greatest professional achievements and your goals for the future. You could briefly discuss your hobbies and personal interests but don’t give too much detail – this is about your professional career, not your cat. The ‘about me’ page is also a good place to include a photo and details of your education and qualifications.

Skills

Give examples of your skills. If you are incredibly organized, tell of a time when you used your organizational skills. If you are excellent at Photoshop, include images that you have edited.

Experience

Make sure you outline your past experience, in chronological order. It helps to say a bit about the companies you have previously worked for and your main roles. Think of this page as your online C.V.

Design

Even if you have no interest in web design and it is completely irrelevant to the industry you are applying to work in, it is important to make sure your online portfolio looks good. Again, keep it simple don’t use too many bright colors, and avoid flashy patterns. If you are feeling adventurous you could come up with a logo, but don’t get carried away.

For more tips on creating an online portfolio have a look at this helpful article.