If you are a professional in the creative field, this is for you. If you have been applying for jobs, almost all of which are now online, or are a freelancer with clients, it is no secret that an online portfolio is vital to showcase your work and secure the next interview step or leads. Your professional creative field could span from marketing, writing, artwork, to architecture, to web designing, to beauty art (including but not not limited to hairstyling, aesthtician, makeup, eyelash extensions, etc.)

1. Showcase your projects in one place.

Being a creative professional, our work tends to add up over the year(s) and is strewn all over the place digitally or physically. Do you relate? While it is tolerable to have everything in a few files and/or social platforms right now, it might be more sufficient to have them online for easier access. After all, isn’t it a little tedious having say, photos of your projects muddled up with pictures of your kids on your phone (where your clients can’t see)? Moreover, instead of emailing/texting multiple files, being able to send a link makes it way more efficient.

“Personal efficiency is achieved when planning and preparation meet focus and action.” – Ruzanna Hernandez, Ed.D.

2. Stand out from the competition.

Being a creative professional means there is a lot of competition out there. I mean most of us are even competing with AI in this day and age. The nice thing about having your own portfolio is that you can make it however you want it to display all your work. Portfolios can mirror your authenticity and style with their design and execution and give you ample opportunity to stand out. After all, you have achieved your past projects with blood, sweat, and maybe a couple of tears. Don’t let it go to waste.

“Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation, there is sure to be failure.” — Confucius

3. It is the perfect addition to your resume.

To expand on standing out from the competition, this applies advantageously when applying for jobs. These past couple of years have been even more so competitive in the job market for creative professionals. One solution is to add a portfolio to your resume to highlight yourself from the sea of job seekers so that you have a higher chance of taking the bait. Imagine having a link beside your email address where hiring managers can access your experience and projects, where everyone else does not. You are already a top candidate just by being able to show how you can methodically and creatively perform on the job.

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.” – Paul J. Meyer

4. Many jobs now will not consider you without a portfolio.

If you have been accessing Indeed, LinkedIn, or any job-searching tools out there, you may have noticed that many companies hiring for creative positions now require you to include a portfolio. A portfolio is now the new cover letter, or even in some cases, in place of a resume. Nonetheless, portfolios are evolving to be mandatory and you won’t even be considered for the next stage without one.

“I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.” —Stephen Covey

5. Increase your credibility with your clients.

The thing about most creative careers is that it is mostly sustainable with regular clients, particularly when you are self-employed. Even with being in the job market seeking new customers or employers, credibility is gained with an organized and original portfolio. In your portfolio, on top of your gallery displaying your crafts, you can also include sterling testimonials or reviews, a description about yourself, and even a timeline of your experience – all of which contribute to the well-rounded, trusted hire that is you. After all, what you want to gain is to close the sale and rely on them to knock on your business door in many futures.

“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” – Stephen King 

Get a Portfolio for as little as $12.50 (CAD) a month

A portfolio does not have to be a complicated set of multiple web pages (unless you want it to – anything is possible). You can achieve a one-page portfolio for as little as $12.50 a month! The flexibility of design is vast and you can choose it to be as aesthetically pleasing as you want. Picture a one-pager with 3 to 5 components that clients or future employers can access in one click. YES, Terms of Use and Privacy Policy pages are included.

If the end of the Fall season was the official declaration of graduation, or you have just completed the certification or license needed for your desired job position, then now is the great time to highlight them in your updated resume. After all, the holidays are over, and you can really focus on landing your dream job. Make that list, and cross it off. 

Are you stuck figuring out what to gift your writer friend or family member this Christmas? While asking for their book wishlist or getting them a gift card to their favourite coffee store might be the easiest route, you might opt for a more thoughtful and “original” idea that will impress them. Scratch the redundant fountain pen idea and read more to find 6 Gift Ideas in a range of budget that might help your own writer’s block.

*These are suggestions from amazon.ca – of course, if you are not supporters of the big-box company, a simple Google search can take you to alternative sellers

Now while this post may be very helpful for you this gifting season, you deserve all the credit. Don’t forget to sign the very thoughtful holiday card with a relevant quote from their aspirational Author.

Just the other day, I closed a customized resume order within 36 hours. While this is often the minimum requirement I offer on a regular basis, the fact that I managed it with child is an accomplishment enough, and I look forward to having the ability to balance the domesticated life with my career – something that has evolved to be a normality among millennials (a controversial topic for another day). Of course, I would not have done it without my loving partner who have taken on joint responsibilities on accustoming our newborn in her delicate months before returning to work. So to this new challenge to achieve the next big thing – bring it on.