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The Library & Information Science Professional's Career Development Center |
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Functional and Stylistic Needs of Every Online Portfolio |
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Blame it on the lingering natural instincts of one-upmanship associated with only-child syndrome, but I cannot help regularly checking online to see how my portfolio compares with those of other information specialists. The need to hunt down the résumés, projects, and career goals of my peers has an addictive quality that I can rarely resist. Having spent my waking hours ferreting out these examples, I can proudly say that I’ve seen hundreds of portfolios, both online and in print. During my frequent excursions online, I’ve noticed that many library professionals do a wonderful job of collecting their accomplishments but do a poor job of showcasing them in an easy-to-follow online portfolio. Online portfolios are a fantastic way to make a more well-rounded impression on potential employers. However, this impression can quickly sour if a portfolio is not logically constructed. The elucidation of work that conversation provides is not available when that work is viewed alone or without the creator’s knowledge. All portfolios need to be well labeled, easy to follow, visually attractive, and regularly checked for redundant information. Just as importantly, they should be easy to navigate and viewable with different types of computers and internet software. Don’t forget to check frequently to assure that all links and sub-pages are functioning properly. Does this mean that you must become a Web page guru, churning out technological masterpieces of advanced coding and HTML work? Of course not; it means that your online portfolio must be neat, simple to understand, and organized so that future employers can view it online as well as offline. Many individuals who have online portfolios have little or no knowledge of HTML code. Luckily there are several Web editing programs available. If you are enrolled in graduate school, you may be able to obtain a copy of one of these programs for a reduced cost or for free, and you might be able to set up a computer-based portfolio on your university’s Web space. If you are not enrolled at a university, you will need to purchase a Web editing program and Web space. While this might appear to be a cost concern, consider this: many individuals in your field already have online portfolios. Each time they submit applications, potential employers are granted the ability to learn about their accomplishments and projects without paying the costs associated with a formal interview. These individuals therefore have an added advantage each time they apply for a position. As online portfolios become more common, employers are not going to wonder if you have one, but why you don’t have one. Organization Organization is the most important underlying component of an electronic portfolio. The information must be arranged so that anyone can easily navigate through the page without getting lost or confused. When planning your online portfolio, first draw a radial diagram in a notebook depicting the information you wish to place online. Topics should lead logically out of the main Web page, and while some topics might interlink, there should be clearly defined sections for each of your accomplishments. After you do this, ask yourself if your diagram properly resembles a starburst or if it has so many confusing lines and circles that it looks more like a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. If it’s the latter, you need to thin out the information you want to include and arrange the pages and links in a more logical manner. Many electronic portfolios are well organized but lack a basic functionality that employers will be looking for during the hiring process. While searching for online portfolios, I have come across many individuals who have an online version of their résumé that is not suitable for printing. While it is helpful to have a Web-based version, please remember that your future employers are human; they may misplace your résumé or need additional copies for all the members of the hiring committee. If you have an online version that prints out on five pages due to odd spacing or one that prints in colors that do not photocopy well, employers might overlook your résumé or disregard it completely. To ensure that a paper copy is always available, include word processing or PDF files of your résumé and all pertinent documents. Subsections and Links When considering basic functionality, the information and style you choose should reflect a portfolio and not a Web page. Web pages are designed to share information with multiple groups of people; online portfolios are designed to present information about your career to future employers. For this reason, certain features of Web design should not appear in an online portfolio. While hunting for good portfolios online, I have come across many individuals who include a guestbook along with their work. As happy as I am that Jane Doe’s Grandma Maxine loves Jane and the work she produces, I do not find this information pertinent to Jane’s career. Not only does this type of information detract from the professional tone that Jane should be setting, it also creates a subsection on her page that does not contain any of Jane’s work; this can lead to confusion for a potential employer. Keep in mind that not every member of a hiring committee or human resources department may be computer literate. A future employer who becomes lost among Grandma Maxine’s glowing comments may believe he or she has exited your portfolio. Once potential employers have navigated out of your portfolio, there is no guarantee that they will take the time to go back and continue exploring your body of work. Keep this in mind when deciding to include external links in your portfolio: While it might be beneficial to direct potential employers to outside sites, such as a Web page you have created or an article about you in a local paper, remember that this also provides an opportunity for them to wander away from your portfolio and into cyberspace. Recently I stumbled across a portfolio created by an MLIS student who used links to his disadvantage. This student had a well-outlined portfolio, except for his links section, where he provided links to his classmates’ online portfolios and several library-themed blogs. In addition to providing his future employer with examples of his work, this student was also providing an extended job pool for the employer to peruse. What to Include Remember, the ultimate goal of any portfolio is to show the diverse and resourceful nature of its creator. The information you present to your future employer should reflect all of your qualifications positively. Portfolios must have variety; they should not be composed of only one type of document. Use pathfinders, displays, poster sessions, presentations, etc. to show future employers the multifaceted capabilities that you will bring to their organization. Include photographs of events you have organized and positive comments from past employers to underscore your dedication to your work. Most importantly, remember to constantly review your portfolio as if you are a prospective employer. Is the layout attractive and easy to follow? Do the items you’ve selected depict you in a positive and versatile light? Is the tone of your portfolio professional and inviting? If you can confidently answer “yes” to these questions, then you have already gained an advantage over many of your peers. You’ve provided your future employer with a comprehensive impression of yourself that could not be conveyed by a résumé alone. Christopher A. Brown is a Children's Librarian for the Free Library of Philadelphia. He has maintained an online portfolio (www.christopherabrown.com) for the past three years. In his free time, Mr. Brown enjoys discussing the writings of Kennilworthy Whisp, the tribulations of unfortunate orphans, and computer-based portfolios. Article published Jan 2007 Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in LIScareer articles are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the LIScareer editors.
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Page last updated
12/26/2006
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