5 Steps for Building a Website Portfolio

5 Steps for Building a Website Portfolio Though crafting the perfect CV and resume is an important component when landing job  interviews, an online portfolio is an excellent way to enhance your skill-set. A resume tells a  potential employer about what you’ve done, but a portfolio website shows a potential employer  what you can do, which is an enticing element to bring to the table. In the past, a web portfolio was usually used only for certain industries, such as web design or a  field related to the arts. However, now you can easily see the benefits of having an online  portfolio when looking for a job, including: Professionalism Higher visibility Display of actual examples Easy sharing And thanks to today’s technology, creating a customized portfolio isn’t difficult. You just need  the right steps. 1) Choose a Website Builder Before you do anything, make sure you have a great website builder that’s easy to use and will  function the best possible for displaying your work. Here are several popular platforms you could try: WordPress Weebly MoonFruit Wix DoYouBuzz IMCreator Brand-Yourself Folio24 Webs About.me Flavors.me The basic makeup of each of these web tools is essentially the same, but there are a few  differences worth considering. To begin with, decide if you should purchase the domain for your  portfolio. If you’re a freelancer who is always collecting odd jobs, it’s worth it to have your own  domain so that people can contact you often. If you’re looking for a long-term, in-house position, paying for a domain would probably be a  waste of money, since you hopefully won’t need to use the portfolio for several years. Next, assess the navigation capabilities. Navigation is one of the most important parts of a  website, and if the navigation doesn’t help you meet your goal or is confusing, your online  portfolio won’t impress one bit. 2. Design a Logo and Draft a Tagline Now, it’s time to define your brand. If you want to stand out against the other applicants who  have similar or better qualifications, you need something that the employer will remember, and a  great logo and tagline is just the thing. Generally, for job applicant purposes, your logo should be some design of your name, so that the  employer has a visual picture in mind when it’s time to flip through the stack of applications. Also, be sure your logo links back to your homepage for the sake of convenience, and that it’s  placed in the top left corner of every page, so that it’s the first thing the reader sees upon entering  your website. A tagline is also a great way to snag attention. In essence, a tagline is a brief, catchy summary of  what you do. For some great examples of effective taglines, use this article as a reference. 3. Fill in Information Tabs When you’re absolutely certain that your logo and tagline will make you stand out in a good  way, move on to filling out the information tabs of your website. The subject of each  navigational tab is primarily up to you, but employers have come to expect the following pages: About Me: This is where you let the employer know who you really are. It’s not about  simply describing your background. It’s about showing your personality through  specifics, including what makes you interested in what you do, any awards and  recognition you’ve received, and a quick glimpse of your personality through writing  tone. Don’t forget to add a picture of yourself so the employer has a face to put to the  name. Portfolio/Examples: What’s an online portfolio without a section for examples of your  best work? Comb carefully through your samples and pick out a selection of the highest  quality pieces to upload to this tab. Remember that images should be high quality, and  you should always check to make sure all links work properly. Include a brief description  with every piece you display and organize them into easy-access folders. In addition, if  you have previous client testimonials, this is a great place to include them. Services/Specialties: Though you may have experience in every aspect of the field,  everyone has specific services or specialties worth mentioning. Using specifics, showcase  those particular talents in this section. Don’t sell yourself short on any of your talents, but  avoid coming off arrogant. Contact: Make sure employers know how to get ahold of you when they’re so impressed  with your portfolio that they want to offer you a job. This is the most important section of  your portfolio, so make sure it’s visible with its own tab. 4. Use a Call to Action When a potential employer has looked through your portfolio, remind them why they are there  with a direct call to action, or phrase that tells them what to do next. On each page, place a  strategic call to action that will direct a viewer to contact you. For example, consider this video editor who uses this call to action at the bottom of her pages: “I  love to edit video. That’s right! I love to put together totally awesome videos. I’m technically  proficient, easy to work with and I don’t stop till it’s perfect. So what are you waiting for?” It  then links to her contact page, which is an enticing way to remind potential employers that she’s  worth hiring. 5. Link to Social Media Finally, make sure your employer can see who you are through your social media presence with  links to various platforms. Be sure that the interactions on your pages are professional and show  who you are. Employers like to see what you’re like outside of the interview, and online  portfolios make it easy to link to social media. Author:  Larry Alton is an independent business consultant specializing in social media trends, business, and entrepreneurship. Follow him on Twitter  and LinkedIn. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

8 Essential Items to Take to Your Interview

8 Essential Items to Take to Your Interview By now we all know that preparation is key if you want to succeed at interview stage.  When it comes to interview day, you will have most likely researched the company extensively and studied the job description thoroughly â€" but there’s still a little more preparation to be done in order to boost your chances of success.  You need equip yourself properly in order to be organised and appear professional.  StandOut CV has compiled this handy infographic showing the 8 essential items that you need to take with you to ace your next job interview. 1.  Multiple copies of your CV Although it’s easy to assume that the interviewer will be in possession of your CV by the time you reach interviewer, you shouldn’t leave it up to them to bring a copy with them. Be pro-active and print of multiple copies just in case their printer has broken or you meet more than one person at the company. This level of preparation will show them that you are professional and you plan for any possible outcome. 2. A smart folder or bag Turning up to the interview with and producing a crumpled CV from your pocket will not create a great first impression. Invest in a smart folder or bag to ensure that you stay organised and look like a professional candidate. Something that is small enough to carry under your arm, but big enough to carry all of your essentials is perfect. 3. A pen and notepad It’s likely that a lot of important facts and figures will be discussed during interview stage, so it pays to have a pen and pad handy to note them down. When you need to make follow up emails or decide between competing offers, having the finer details jotted down will be hugely beneficial. 4. Some pre-prepared questions Most employers will expect you to have some questions about their role and company, so write some down in advance and take them with you. Having them in written format will not only help to jog your memory, but will also show the interviewer that you’ve done some proper preparation. 5.  The job description To ensure that you’ve fully familiarised yourself with the role, make some notes on the job description and take it with you. On the day of the interview, you can then arrive to the area 30 minutes early and grab a coffee whilst you revise the job details for one last time before heading in, to ensure that it is fresh8 Essential items to take to your next job interview  in your mind. 6. The interview details Too many candidates rely on their mobile to access interview details through their email. However, mobile internet access in not always guaranteed so save the details to your phone or even write them down on paper. Losing the address or name of the interviewer will not set the interview off to a great start. 7.  Relevant certificates If the role you are applying for requires one or more qualifications, then take those certificates along with you â€" or at least some good copies if you can’t take the originals. You may not be asked to show them but it’s better to have them with you just in case. 8. Examples of your work Creative professionals such as designers or artists will have portfolios of work to display some of their achievements â€" but if you are in a non-creative industry you may have client testimonials or sales figures that you can take with you to give some examples of the impact you’ve made at previous employers. About the author: Andrew is a writer for Standout CVs. Please include attribution to StandOut CV with this graphic.

Goals Part II of II How Are You Reaching Your Dreams

Goals â€" Part II of II How Are You Reaching Your Dreams At the end of January, I wrote to you about making sure you set a plan to reach your goals. If you’ve already set your goals for 2015, please share them in the comments. We would love to hear about what steps you’re taking to reach your goals and what we at Ms. Career Girl can do to help you out! If you haven’t set your goals, here are a few extra things to think about. The Forbes 30 Under 30 list for 2015 came out last month and I have to say that I’m incredibly impressed with some of the up and coming visionaries in this set â€" check out these amazing women for starters: Sophie Milam (a graduate of my high school!), Fiza Farhan, Elise Andrew, and Yifan Zheng. I can only imagine what the personal and professional goal lists for these individuals look like. Now, I’m never going to make the 30 under 30 list â€" I’m already past my prime for that one. However, that number isn’t the be-all end-all. There’s so much more ahead of me. Where is life going to take me? Where is your life going to take you? Think about it. That’s the difference between a dream and a goal. A dream is something you wish for but doesn’t deliver tangible results. A goal is an actionable step that makes your dreams reality. Looking at what you might want to accomplish this year, how ambitious are you being? Did you make goals that will be easy to achieve? Are you stretching yourself at all? How can you push yourself to be an exponentially expanded individual by the end of the year? Before you add to this list, think about what drives you. Are the things that get you going â€" in the morning, at work, in your relationships â€" already incorporated into your list of goals? If they’re not, how can you weave what motivates you into this list? You don’t have to know every step to your goals right now, but think about what information you might need to learn or new skills you may need to develop in order to tap into that dream potential. These factors can become your first actionable steps in making your dreams come to life. As you progress throughout 2015 â€" don’t let defeat set in. Your dreams may not flourish all at once. Push towards them. See the potential. Extend your goals into 2016 and beyond. Set yourself up for success. Know that the work you are putting in right now can positively impact your future. Don’t be afraid to dream big!

What to Do When You Get More than One Job Offer

What to Do When You Get More than One Job Offer You applied for the job, you wowed the HR Manager in the interview, and now you find yourself torn between two job offers. Congratsyou’re a hot commodity! Although it’s always nice to have more than one job offer to choose from, you have to be smart about your decision. After all, this is your career and you don’t want to choose unwisely. Thankfully, there is a career decision worksheet that will help make this decision an easier process. Do your own process of elimination by answering the crucial questions in the worksheet. You’ll thank me later!

10 things you should know before starting university - Debut

10 things you should know before starting university - Debut This article was written by an external contributor. Sam Ramsden has some top tips to any prospective students before university.   Having recently completed a degree at university, Ive had time to reflect on my time as a student. Ive also had time to think about what I wouldve done differently. Looking back on my experience was both rewarding and frustrating, and there are many things I wish Id have known prior to becoming a student. So, here are ten pieces of advice for anyone who is starting university. Be socially active The social aspect of university is probably one of the most daunting things for many people. Will you make friends? Will your peers and flatmates like you? The answer is most likely yes to both, however it never hurts to put in some extra effort to be social. Especially if youre an introverted and independent student. Go to events and meet-ups, strike up conversations with your course-mates and dont be afraid to say yes to opportunities. Make the most of your campus On the subject of your campus, one mistake I made during the early days of my university experience was not properly exploring the entirety of my campus. When I eventually did, I found that I had been missing out on a lot. Most university campus’ are filled with brilliant facilities and resources, all of which are there to provide leisure and an improved learning environment. Its a waste to not fully take advantage of them, so explore away! Keep good attendance We’ve all heard the stereotypes which surround students and their apparent lack of desire to attend lectures (lets not get started on those 9am starts). But in order to properly make the most out of the education you’re paying for, it’s very important to ensure you attend every lecture and seminar as often as you can. If you get into the habit early, youll be thankful when final year rolls around. Don’t throw in the towel One thing many university newcomers might be tempted by during the first few months is to simply give up. The major lifestyle changes, sometimes overbearing amount of work and worries about the future can all contribute to a desire to throw in the towel and call it quits. But try your best to stick through it, and consider all your options carefully before making this drastic decision. Things can improve! Get involved Even though the main focus of university life should centre around your studies, groups and societies can also be a great opportunity to get involved in. Taking on extra-curriculum activities might sound a tad overwhelming, but getting involved in societies has many benefits. It can broaden your circle of friends, give you brand new skills and even help improve your employability! Try something new, you never know where it might lead. Plan for the future Once all the assignments have been completed and semesters comes to an end, the realisation that there is life after university can be a pretty intimidating experience. Living on your own, deciding on a career and searching for graduate jobs are all incredibly daunting things. So in order to best prepare yourself for the end of university, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your future early on. Speak to careers advisers, tutors and your friends. Get as much advice as you can! Get feedback Getting critique on your work is not always the nicest experience, especially if you take things to heart. But feedback is sometimes instrumental to success. Although the workload during your studies is intended to be more independent than your high school days, getting help and varying opinions from your teachers is definitely something every student should look for as often as possible. If you know what to improve on early on, then it may benefit you when it comes to writing your dissertation. Give your opinion On the subject of being assertive at university, another aspect of that is not being afraid to voice your opinions. As previously mentioned, higher education is a different ball game to your school days. So if something doesn’t sit right with you, whether that be an unfair grade or inadequate teaching, you should speak out. Your union should offer ways to get in touch, so dont feel like you have to keep quiet. Watch the pennies Perhaps one of the more obvious pieces of advice every new student should take is to properly manage money. Yes, students sometimes enjoy the thrill of receiving a much welcomed student finance payment. But that cash will quickly disappear and if you’re reckless, you could get into some serious problems. You can save by sticking to buying the absolute essentials, or opting out of the odd night out. Make sure to keep an eye on whats in your account so you dont get into a pickle! Enjoy yourself Even though most people will advise you to be a serious student who focuses solely on work, remember to have fun. There will be times when you’re consumed with worry of deadlines and trepidation about what the future may hold. But theres so much more to university, including the societies, the nights out and making new friends. Relish your freedom as a student! Download Debut  and  connect with us on  Facebook,  Twitter  and  LinkedIn  for more careers insights.

What are informational interviews - Margaret Buj - Interview Coach

What are informational interviews Informational interviews, in which you gather information about a contacts job and industry, are vitally important to learning about new careers and opportunities. Plus, its precisely when jobs arent available that people are willing to meet with motivated job seekers as a way to develop a strong talent pool for the future. An informational interview can put you at the head of the line when a position appears, lead to valuable employment contacts, or simply help you figure out your next career move. So how do you get this informational interviews and how do you get the most out of them? Find out in this short video: That’s itâ€"that’s all you need to know. Now get out there and get some interviews lined up. Use LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and your friends and family, and don’t be shy about asking anyone who looks interesting to you. And remember, the more informational interviews you do, the less awkward they become. Have you done any informational interviews? Id love to know how youve made the most out of them please leave me your comment below.

Resume Writing Tips - More Than One Position in a Company

Resume Writing Tips - More Than One Position in a CompanyIn order to write a successful resume, you need to learn more than one resume writing tips. By using the right information, you will be able to make your resume stand out from the crowd.Lasting letters are very important. If you want to be remembered, you need to use that letter style and use it well.You can't just toss your resume out in the trash. You have to use it as much as possible. Use it in the interview process and build upon it.When you submit your resume for consideration, be sure that it is professionally formatted. Many times, companies only hire resume examples and not the real person who submitted the resume.By using a computer and your resume writing software, you can easily add a picture to your resume. Don't overlook this important tool. There are several websites that allow you to add pictures to your resume.With all the options that are available, it is easier than ever to improve your resume. With a little work, you can add value to your resume without spending a lot of money.You can learn more about how to properly submit your resume for consideration on this site. You may also find some great ideas on how to create a good resume using these resume writing tips. No matter what your background is, you can improve your resume by using these resume writing tips.