In a competitive job market, it can seem nearly impossible to stand out. You submit your resume and know that hundreds (or even thousands) of other people are doing the same. That’s why it’s important to differentiate yourself and show a hiring manager what you bring to the table.
A professional portfolio helps you do just that. Instead of being a flat, lifeless name on a paper, you become an interesting story, thus helping that hiring manager to engage with you instead of tossing your resume into the trash. If you’re still on the fence about investing in a professional portfolio, consider these benefits:
Hiring managers want to hear stories from real people
Let’s face it: your educational background and past work experience can help you get a job, of course. But what really sets you apart from dozens of other, equally qualified people is your story. What makes you tick? What are you passionate about? What makes you different? It’s challenging to convey this on a resume, but a professional portfolio gives you more creative freedom, allowing you to express these ideas more effectively.
People like pictures
Resumes are boring and they start to blend together, particularly when a hiring manager is reviewing many of them in one day. A professional portfolio, on the other hand, is dynamic, and often full of pictures. This visual appeal makes it memorable, helping you to leave a lasting impression on a hiring manager.
A professional portfolio allows you to display your strengths more effectively
While your resume should show off your strengths, your professional portfolio really drives these points home. You can expand more upon your accomplishments than you’d be able to on a traditional resume, and can give concrete (and visual examples) of the work that you’ve done. You can also create a professional portfolio that’s highly interactive, yielding a more engaging experience.
You don’t have to fork over thousands of dollars in order to get a great and effective professional portfolio. Find an aspiring web designer at a local university or college and you’ll end up with a high quality site for a reasonable fee. There are also plenty of platforms that allow even inexperienced web designers to craft a highly functioning site for themselves for a low cost. Make sure to keep your professional portfolio updated and you’ll have a powerful tool that will really sell your skills to a hiring manager.
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