Why You Need a Digital Portfolio

By Kailey Walters on March 10, 2021

When it comes to the job hunt, everyone knows the importance of having a good resume and cover letter. But what some people might not realize is that having a digital portfolio is really important, too. After all, part of the job application process is going above and beyond to show employers that you’re skilled at something and able to present all your work in one organized place. Read on for a few other compelling reasons as to why you should create your digital portfolio now.

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Digital portfolios help you stand out.

Depending on what field or job you’re aiming for, not everyone needs a digital portfolio. However, if you are planning to pursue a creative career, such as a writer, designer, photographer, wedding planner, or event coordinator, it’s a great idea to have a digital portfolio to showcase all of your work. For writers and other creatives, like artists and graphic designers, you should definitely include some samples of your work. It’s also important to include links to your social media, links to your profiles on job sites such as LinkedIn, and client testimonials if you happen to have clients. Compiling everything in one place will highlight all the great work you’ve been doing and help you stand out to future employers.

Digital portfolios help tell your story.

What you showcase in your portfolio can say a lot about you — certainly more than a simple resume or cover letter can. That’s because maintaining a digital portfolio throughout your career will allow you to document your full professional story. Even if you’re at the beginning of your professional career, having a portfolio of all the work you’ve done throughout your academic career can be extremely helpful in showing employers who you really are. Your digital portfolio can show the quality of the work you’ve done, what you’re interested in exploring, and your potential for future growth in your career.

You can leverage a digital portfolio in many ways professionally.

During the job search, you can take many different steps to help yourself grow professionally. You can use your digital portfolio as a tool to aid in that growth and continuously impress others you meet. For example, you can submit your digital portfolio in job applications and reference it during an interview. If you’re asked to talk about a project you worked on, you can not only describe it but also bring up your digital portfolio and literally point out the materials you used and the work you did for it. Having the portfolio on hand will also contribute to your overall professional image by showing that you’re prepared, organized, and serious about the work you do.

You can also send your digital portfolio to people you’re networking with so they can take a look at your work and learn what you’re about. Even if you reach out to someone you’ve never met before, they’re more likely to take notice and be impressed by you if you provide some examples of your work.

Another instance in which you can leverage your digital portfolio is during performance reviews. Being able to point to specific pieces of evidence from your portfolio will provide concrete reasons as to why you deserve a good review and even a raise or promotion. You might even be able to indicate certain accomplishments that your manager has overlooked. And of course, having your portfolio with evidence ready looks good because it shows that you’re organized and prepared for the discussion.

Digital portfolios help you develop soft skills.

Soft skills include skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, critical thinking, and organization. Creating and maintaining a digital portfolio will help you develop soft skills because you’ll have to compile and present your experiences in an articulate and easily digestible manner. Digital portfolios also allow you to reflect on projects you’ve completed in the past and any goals you have moving forward, which helps you track your progress over time. Employers want to see your professional growth and the skills you’ve developed, so a digital portfolio will certainly help with that.

What you should include in your digital portfolio

Now that you know digital portfolios are important for your professional career, you may be wondering what exactly to include in yours. While it certainly varies depending on your profession, industry, and experience, a few things you may want to include are your resume or professional bio, letters of recommendation, awards and recognition, client feedback, work samples, lists of trainings or courses completed, project outlines, and lists of key accomplishments. Ultimately, it’s up to you and what you think makes sense for your career path.

A digital portfolio can be helpful in many ways in your professional life. Don’t hesitate to gather all the materials you need to showcase who you are and tell your story so that you can make your digital portfolio work for you.

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