{"id":237733,"date":"2020-09-28T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-28T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/?p=237733"},"modified":"2024-11-18T18:58:55","modified_gmt":"2024-11-18T23:58:55","slug":"boost-your-application-virtual-vocations-online-portfolio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.virtualvocations.com\/blog\/telecommuting-job-search-help\/using-virtual-vocations\/boost-your-application-virtual-vocations-online-portfolio\/","title":{"rendered":"Boost Your Application with the Virtual Vocations Online Portfolio"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Updated November 2024<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Searching for a new remote job is no easy task. An increase in the demand for remote work has created cutthroat competition. Applicants must ensure that resumes are top notch, references and recommendations are prepped, and they’re ready for a potential video interview. Due diligence reigns. But jobseekers also face another obstacle: ensuring that their resumes are applicant tracking system (ATS)-compliant. That’s when an online portfolio becomes integral. With many employers or recruiters looking for information online that supports the applicant\u2019s qualifications for the job, the benefits of an online portfolio are substantial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why Jobseekers Need A Professional Online Portfolio<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Holly Leyva, the Virtual Vocations<\/a> Career Services Manager and Certified Career Coach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Online portfolios can help you stand out from the competition, build your professional brand, increase your online visibility and presence, and make a great first impression. They are a good way to showcase the accomplishments, projects, and experience that you’ve talked about on your resume.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

With so many recruiters and job managers requesting that job applicants keep their resumes no longer than one or two pages, many mid-career and advanced professionals can feel stuck at limiting their extensive experience into such a limited amount of space. With an online portfolio, this isn\u2019t a problem. Leyva asserts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cMake sure to include the portfolio link on your resume and in your email signature so employers and clients can easily see your work samples, previous presentations, recommendations, testimonials, and other professional accomplishments.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Jobseekers can quickly provide more extensive details on their career experience and provide visual proof of their skill set. A side benefit of an online portfolio is that it can provide a search engine optimization (SEO) boost. This can help freelancers and jobseekers looking for project-based work gain visibility in search engine results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Discover how to effectively manage your time and develop a productive daily routine tailored to your remote job search<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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The Virtual Vocations Portfolio Feature<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we begin, here’s a glance at what the Virtual Vocations online portfolio looks like and how it functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The online portfolio is critical for job search success. Although compiling your work is time-consuming, the amount of time it will save the jobseeker when potential employers request specific documents or information is priceless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The benefit of an online portfolio is that jobseekers only need to do the hard part once. Curating and updating a portfolio is much faster and more straightforward than the initial setup. Moreover, the Virtual Vocations portfolio feature provides an easy-to-navigate option to showcase jobseekers’ best work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at the customizable sections in the Virtual Vocations portfolio:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Header<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The header is a vital part of an online portfolio. Not only does your name take center stage in this section, but it\u2019s the first thing an employer sees. Since first impressions are vital<\/a>, your header must grab the viewer’s attention. Taking the time to choose the right font, size, or alignment for the portfolio header allows you to stand out from the crowd and maintain your professional brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Actionable Step:<\/strong> Have you defined your professional brand? Users familiar with a bit of HTML can experiment with colors and other styling attributes using the source code tool. Study the psychology of colors and typography to help you decide how you want your professional brand’s personality to be perceived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About Me<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This page is not only one of the most challenging pages to write, but it is perhaps the most important. It gets the most views and determines if the reader will continue to browse the rest of your portfolio. This is where hiring managers and recruiters learn about who you are, what you do, and what you can offer them. Including a call-to-action (CTA) in this section is especially engaging. It establishes yourself as a trustworthy authority in your professional industry. Plus, it can inspire the recruiter or human resource manager to strongly consider you an appropriate candidate for their company through a simple statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Actionable Step:<\/strong> Don\u2019t ramble. Proofread and edit the page to make sure you don\u2019t seem unprofessional. Remember, while resumes with spelling errors get tossed in the trash bin, online portfolios with typos get their browser windows closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How you can leverage technology to improve your chances for successfully landing a remote job<\/a><\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n
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Objective<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The objective section provides potential employers or recruiters an overview of your career goals and ambitions. This mutually beneficial section helps human resource managers know if the position that they are hiring for will meet your job expectations. It will also save you ample time and frustration by eliminating or reducing the chances of going through the entire interview process for nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Actionable Step:<\/strong> Keep this section concise yet compelling. And be honest about your career goals. But remember, the job needs to be a good career fit for your aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Work Samples<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This section of the portfolio is like a personal ad for your career. By showcasing the work you’ve performed, you can wow potential employers. Target your audience by demonstrating that you can perform the job you are applying to. For jobseekers in creative fields, a work portfolio is a necessity. Conversely, in an industry where work samples are not the norm, this can set you apart from other applicants in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Actionable Step:<\/strong> Make sure your work samples are free of typos and include various projects from different mediums (if you can) and industry sectors. Choose quality over quantity to maximize this benefit of an online portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Job History<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Relying only on your resume to fully display your job history is self-sabotage. Therefore, the job history section of the portfolio can help fill out any gaps in your resume. If diligently filled out with more details than your resume, this section can also help potential employers understand your related work experience. Plus, they can determine if you have any transferrable skills during a career change. Make sure to proofread this section thoroughly, as 80.4% of errors are found in former job experience descriptions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Actionable Step:<\/strong> Remember that a portfolio is always a work in progress. Keep it updated with relevant new jobs or projects you gain. This way, it becomes easier to maintain for the next time you decide to jump into another job search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Education<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Education is the proverbial foot in the door for many work from home jobs. As a result, you need to demonstrate to potential employers and recruiters that you have the appropriate background for the job. Furthermore, this section will provide a window into how deep your subject matter expertise goes. Include the following to not leave anything out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n