1. Skip to navigation
  2. Skip to content
  3. Skip to sidebar

Create an Online Portfolio

Online portfolios aren't just for artists. Portfolios are useful to anyone with items to share with an employer.

Portfolios show your accomplishments and skills. Don't be tempted to quickly throw a portfolio together. There are several things to consider before jumping online.

Collapse all | Expand all

  1. Identify your audience

    Who do you want to view your portfolio? Different industries may expect different types of samples. You also may need to present it differently for a corporate company than for a trendy employer. Knowing your audience will help you decide which work to include and how your portfolio should look. If you are targeting very different markets, then you may need more than one portfolio.


  2. What to include

    What do you want potential employers to know about you? A good way to decide what to include is to creating an outline. Make a list of your skills, knowledge, and experience. This will also help you categorize your work later.

    The key to an effective portfolio is to be selective about which work samples you feature. If you include too many, employers may experience information overload. They may also question your ability to identify the work that best illustrates your skills. If you include too few, employers may think you are inexperienced. Keep it simple and showcase only your best. Less is more.

    The items you choose will depend on your career. Below are examples of what to include. Some may not be relevant to your specific career:

    Your qualifications

    • Summary or objective statement
    • Experience and skills (resume, education and training, certifications, languages spoken, etc.)
    • Leadership experiences
    • Professional memberships
    • Honors and awards

    Work samples

    • Individual or team projects (research, technical, event promotion, etc.)
    • Writing (blogs, newspapers, journals, grant proposals, reports, marketing plans, etc.)
    • Artistic (artwork, photography, etc.)
    • Design (graphic, web, interior, apparel, exhibit, etc.)
    • Multimedia (presentations, videos, music, interactive, etc.)
    • Teaching (lesson plans, class projects, assignments, etc.)

    Research potential employers to find out what they want in an employee. This will help you figure out which items to include. If you still aren't sure, visit how to create an awesome work portfolio or show and tell employers you've got what it takes for more examples.


  3. Research your technical options

    There are a lot of options out there — from blogs to free or subscription portfolios to building your own website. And the line between blogs and portfolios is blurring. Free services allow you to get up and running quickly with limited design skills. However, they may come with some disadvantages:

    • They may restrict how many files you can upload as well as the type AND size of the files.
    • They may allow limited customization.
    • They may show ads on your blog or portfolio. (This is how some can offer it for free.)

    There is no "one-size-fits-all" solution. Which you choose will depend on your needs, time, budget, and web skills. Carefully compare features to determine which one meet your needs.

    Blogs can be an excellent starting point for a portfolio, especially if you use it only for that purpose. They're generally simple to set up and use. Most allow you to categorize content easily. You can also embed almost anything. Blogs are often free, but many have subscription options with advanced features. If you need a simple portfolio, this may be a good option. Below are some popular blog platforms, but there are many others:

    Free or subscription-based portfolios tend allow larger and a wider range of file types, which are uploaded directly to the host site. Like blogs, there are a variety of free portfolio options, including eFolioMinnesota. Many are geared toward presenting graphic elements rather than text. These are ideal if you need to showcase work visually. If those needs are basic, sites like Flickr or DeviantArt may work well for you. If your needs are graphic-heavy, a dedicated portfolio site like those listed below may be your best option:

    Custom portfolios give you the most control over how your work is presented. They also require the most hands-on labor since you must design the site yourself. Free templates and tools can simplify the process. In addition to designing it, you will want to register a domain name and find a hosting service that can handle your specific needs. And unless you are a web programmer, your site may lack the social networking features built into pre-made portfolio services.


  4. Promote yourself

    Online portfolios are a great way for potential employers to view your work BEFORE they make interview decisions. And that might just tip the scales in your favor. Include your portfolio's web address on all job search communication.

    If you participate in online networking, add a link to your online portfolio. This will make it easier for your network to recommend your work to others.


  5. Backup your portfolio

    Keep back-up copies (electronic or physical) of everything included on your online portfolio. No site is fail-proof. You don't want to lose all your hard work if your portfolio is hacked, deleted due to a server failure, or is the casualty of your host going out of business.