Flex to Impress: Create an ePortfolio That Hits Different

Written by Nick Bennett, Youth Employment Counsellor

Ready to make your mark in the professional world? Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, creating an ePortfolio, or digital portfolio, can be your secret weapon. Let's dive into what a portfolio is, the purpose it serves, and how you can craft one that truly hits different.

A portfolio is a curated collection of your best work, skills, and achievements. Think of it as your personal showcase, where you can flex your biggest talents to impress potential employers, clients, or collaborators. It's more than just a resume and can be a tool complement your resume; it's a dynamic, multimodal representation of who you are and what you do.

Identify the value that a portfolio can add to your networking or job seeking repertoire. It’s not going to be the reason why you land a job, but it can be a factor in being considered a leading candidate. Portfolios can serve several purposes:

• Catches the interest of prospective employers
• Demonstrates the breadth and scope of your talents
• Supports transitions between career steps
• Provides easy conversation starters

Portfolios are a staple in the creative arts and IT communities, but their benefits extend far beyond industry and occupational boundaries. As the following list shows, nearly all prospective or active labour market participants can benefit from developing a portfolio.

• Job seekers and professionals in visual or creative industries (eg., Graphic Designers, Cooks, Artists, Sound Engineers)
• Those with work tasks or projects that culminate in finished products (eg. Landscapers, Interior Designers, Tradespeople, Marketing or Research professionals)
• Individuals who can document their on-the-job process and problem-solving skills (eg. Software Engineers, UX/UI Developers, Technical Analysts)
• People who value relationship building, facilitating connections, and networking
• Employees, Leaders, Advisors, and Consultants who serve customers, clients, or teams and who create measurable impacts
• Students who educational journey and applicable knowledge/skills
  
  

When choosing what talents to showcase and how to do it effectively, aim to capture your audience’s attention with a variety of engaging media styles, adding personal touches to enhance your presence. The only limitation you may face is your creativity in showcasing your work or skills effectively. Consider the following:

• Public Speaking - Edited video clips, speaking notes, slide presentations
• Customer Service – Service metrics, (e.g., customer satisfaction), dynamic interactive graphs, customer testimonials
• Analytical - Detailed reports, analyses, investment/optimization strategies
• Technical/IT - Projects, websites, applications, underlying code
• Marketing/Sales - Creative concepts, ad campaigns, data analytics, consumer behavior reports
• Coaching/Physical Training - Training programs/plans, success stories, transformations, testimonials
• Teaching/Facilitating - Lesson plans, learning activities, learning resources, student projects
• Project Management - Project plans, timelines, outcomes, deliverables

Note: Ensure you obtain appropriate consent before sharing any personal, private, or proprietary information.

If you want to obtain personalized advising on how to develop your digital portfolio or learn more about “flexing to impress” prospective employers, connect with a Youth Employment Counsellor at YEC. In the time being if you want to learn more, check out these resources:

Format: 13 Tips for Online Portfolio Website Design

Canva: How to design a digital portfolio

Watermark: ePortfolios for students: digital portfolio tips & tricks for success