The OrgSync Blog

4 Ways an ePortfolio Can Strengthen Your Job Search

As recent graduates are beginning to understand, finding a job after college is a journey in itself. You honestly have to find a competitive edge over your competition (other graduates in your situation) and do what it takes to even get an interview. In our current job market, which requires graduates to go above and beyond, an ePortfolio is a great way to stand out amongst the crowd. The following are four ways an ePortfolio can strengthen your job search and take you from the maybe pile to the interview list.

Publish your most important artifacts

Why not showcase a project that was worth 50% of your grade online where a potential employer can see it? One benefit to having an ePortfolio is the ease of adding relevant work samples for others to download and view. In addition, you can post photos of important moments in your life and the people that helped you get where you are today. Your work shouldn’t be buried in a file somewhere on your computer, especially ones that show off your talents and skills

Recognize key coursework relevant to your desired field

Many hiring managers looking to fill entry-level positions always look for coursework that would pertain to the position they are trying to fill. There are two main reasons for this. One, the hiring manager wants to know if you have any relevant experience and two, he or she wants to know if you remotely understand the position you are applying for. Having the ability to highlight upper-level major coursework helps future employers see the kinds of challenges you overcame in college.

Be accessible

One of the most annoying things hiring managers see, other than poorly written resumes, is no contact information. It surprises me how so many recent graduates forget this simple, yet essential piece of information. The great part of an ePortfolio is that little button in the corner labeled “Contact,” so you won’t have to worry about openly posting your email address or phone number online. If your ePortfolio stands out, your future employer can easily contact you for an interview.

Go beyond a simple Resume and Cover Letter

Think about all the information you are cutting out of your resume and cover letter to fit the mandatory one-page limit. I can guarantee most graduates have enough information to fill pages of their recognitions, internships, recommendations and campus leadership. But, where do you organize all this information? Since the ePortfolio is a holistic view of you throughout your college career, it gives a more accurate and deeper representation than any resume or cover letter can ever accomplish. Also, by adding your custom URL, associated with your ePortfolio, on your resume, your potential employer can easily view your ePortfolio virtually anywhere.

Check out this great example of an ePortfolio (view here) and let me know your thoughts. Do you think an ePortfolio can strengthen your job search or if you already have a job, would this have benefited you?

Tweet