A professional portfolio is a collection of documents highlighting ones achievements, training, education, and skills. In the past, portfolios were presented in binders, but electronic portfolios are becoming more popular and more common. There are several websites that can be used in creating a professional portfolio. I will be focusing on the pros and cons of utilizing a personal web page, LinkedIn, and Facebook when creating a professional portfolio.
Creating a personal web page for the purpose of formulating a professional portfolio has many perks. First, a personal web page is a great way to network and build a customized picture of yourself. Second, the personal web page offers a lot of flexibility in design which can help in conveying your personality to potential employers. Third, blogging is an integral part of ones personal web page and this allows people to get an idea of who you are and what you are about. Blogging allows you the freedom to write on just about any topic you want and this offers readers insight into your opinions and perspectives on countless topics. The cons of a personal web page is the fact that you have to keep it up to date and relevant at all times which is very time consuming. In addition to that you must create a following to your personal web page in order to generate visitors and a significant web presence, and again this is time consuming. Also, due to the current nature of the internet it is virtually impossible to create a web presence without the likes of a social giant like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest there to back you up and help generate a following.
Facebook is a giant when it comes to web presence and it allows users to connect with nearly everyone they know, past and present. Facebook provides an easy means to connect with others on a daily basis and it allows you to reach out to friends of friends or colleagues or family. The number of connections you are able to make is virtually endless. Visitors to your site can scroll through pictures, posts, and status updates to both your personal and professional life. Facebook is more friendly and far less serious in terms of seeking a professional following. The biggest con with Facebook is it creates an open book to your personal life and this could be detrimental to your professional life! It is imperative to be selective when sharing material and delving out information because it could seriously harm your professional credibility and integrity.
LinkedIn on the other hand is quite the opposite. It is more of a professional networking website that allows you to create an open book into your professional work history. It is a vehicle for you to portray your work experience and background history, as well as your skills, strengths, and achievements. This is a huge positive when it comes to creating a professional image and depicting your personal integrity and professional character and employ-ability with a company. The con of using LinkedIn as a means for creating a professional portfolio is the fact that the value of the site hinges on the number of people actually using it and the length of time they are using it to make key connections and building and updating your profile. Like the personal web page it can be very time consuming and right now the people are on Facebook more than they are on LinkedIn and this will cause a severe limit to personal interaction and perspective job opportunities.
There are a number of pros and cons for each of the three professional portfolio methods I have looked at here. One needs to decide which will be most beneficial and lucrative to him or her and go for it and see where it takes you. Overall, no matter which route you go, personal web page, Facebook, or LinkedIn, you and any potential employer are going to have access to your successes, achievements, work history, and strengths in a matter of seconds and this could be a win-win when it comes to interviewing for your next job!
Creating a personal web page for the purpose of formulating a professional portfolio has many perks. First, a personal web page is a great way to network and build a customized picture of yourself. Second, the personal web page offers a lot of flexibility in design which can help in conveying your personality to potential employers. Third, blogging is an integral part of ones personal web page and this allows people to get an idea of who you are and what you are about. Blogging allows you the freedom to write on just about any topic you want and this offers readers insight into your opinions and perspectives on countless topics. The cons of a personal web page is the fact that you have to keep it up to date and relevant at all times which is very time consuming. In addition to that you must create a following to your personal web page in order to generate visitors and a significant web presence, and again this is time consuming. Also, due to the current nature of the internet it is virtually impossible to create a web presence without the likes of a social giant like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest there to back you up and help generate a following.
Facebook is a giant when it comes to web presence and it allows users to connect with nearly everyone they know, past and present. Facebook provides an easy means to connect with others on a daily basis and it allows you to reach out to friends of friends or colleagues or family. The number of connections you are able to make is virtually endless. Visitors to your site can scroll through pictures, posts, and status updates to both your personal and professional life. Facebook is more friendly and far less serious in terms of seeking a professional following. The biggest con with Facebook is it creates an open book to your personal life and this could be detrimental to your professional life! It is imperative to be selective when sharing material and delving out information because it could seriously harm your professional credibility and integrity.
LinkedIn on the other hand is quite the opposite. It is more of a professional networking website that allows you to create an open book into your professional work history. It is a vehicle for you to portray your work experience and background history, as well as your skills, strengths, and achievements. This is a huge positive when it comes to creating a professional image and depicting your personal integrity and professional character and employ-ability with a company. The con of using LinkedIn as a means for creating a professional portfolio is the fact that the value of the site hinges on the number of people actually using it and the length of time they are using it to make key connections and building and updating your profile. Like the personal web page it can be very time consuming and right now the people are on Facebook more than they are on LinkedIn and this will cause a severe limit to personal interaction and perspective job opportunities.
There are a number of pros and cons for each of the three professional portfolio methods I have looked at here. One needs to decide which will be most beneficial and lucrative to him or her and go for it and see where it takes you. Overall, no matter which route you go, personal web page, Facebook, or LinkedIn, you and any potential employer are going to have access to your successes, achievements, work history, and strengths in a matter of seconds and this could be a win-win when it comes to interviewing for your next job!