I have recently entered the job search pool. What a deep pool it is. I have been applying for jobs in the industry and have realized that there are two reasons why I am not getting higher profile jobs and clients, (in my opinion anyway). I don’t at all believe it is a lack of confidence, skills, technique, or knowledge. I have a well-rounded portfolio and can design using multiple styles, coding options, and technique. I desperatly need to update my resume. I haven’t really had the need for a resume as I have owned my own company and been working for myself for the better part of two years. My current business runs off of word of mouth, references, and referral.

I primarily design using Adobe CS 3 which is industry standard. I find that I don’t get most development jobs as I only have basic skills in types of coding and programming other than HTML, and CSS. I love web design and coding. I love to work from design to implementation. I am consistantly learning new design technique, coding, and programming skills. I love to learn, I love to take on challenges and hit the ground running. I find that you could almost say I am miserable if I am not being challenged. In the past, I have taken on jobs that are over my head and SO FAR, have always pulled them off. It is a good feeling to be able to troubleshoot and figure things out as I go.

I am interested in creating a version of my resume with a focus on bigger fish so to speak, so I wondered what types of information designers who get the job list on their resumes, as well as what employers look for. I was also looking for advice regarding online portfolios. Do people prefer online to paper? What types of work should I include?

I know having an online resume and portfolio is important. Although, I must admit that my own website is probabaly my weakest portfolio piece as a designer. I spend so much time working for paid clients and my off time marketing my both mine and my husband’s home-based businesses, at the end of the day, I just don’t seem to ever find time to complete a redesign. I will start one and it will take me months to get to the point where I can devote enough time to develop it and by that time, I am already bored with the style or the design or features are outdated. so I scrap my design and never finish.

My mind is now racing with ideas for my site. My original plan was to modify my existing, business owner-driven resume and portfolio, but I’ve since decided to start from scratch, I am really debating about which conent I should use. Starting from scratch will allow me to better incorporate fresh thoughts and ideas to my new resume, portfolio, and website. If only ther was a way to tailor my online resume and portfolio for each job opportunity and have it adapt over time.

The problem with this is it’s hard to tailor your website, portfolio, and résumé to the role for which you’re applying, when your putting together a permanant website. I spend time looking at job requirements to determine how my skills match the skills required in the job posting. My skills rarely fit the ones listed. If they do, I am usually underqualified in the education field. I find that looking for a job and marketing myself is a full time job. I found a lot of advice and info to add in a portfolio and resume. They are listed below.

A portfolio is a physical or virtual example of work whereas a résumé or cover letter highlights skills and experiences. A portfolio would give viewable evidence of your abilities. It should contain actual product deliverables and examples of the processes needed to achieve them.

It is ideal to have an online portfolio, so that you can send a link to prospective employers within your résumé and cover letter. Be sure to bring a paper version to interviews, in order to have something to refer to while you talk about projects you have worked on. Be sure to create backups of the paper version so that you have more than one copy. Leave a copy with the potential employer for further review.

When including samples from group projects, be sure to indicate exactly what you were responsible for. It is expected that you will not create everything. “I was a member of a team who did this project. My responsibilities were… You can see the effect of my work here…”

If you do not have professional work to display, you may use course projects. Show initiative by taking on volunteer projects to demonstrate professional abilities.
Include information that demonstrates how you created in addition to what you created, such as notes, rough sketches, old iterations, pictures of products “in work,” or lo-fi prototypes.

Include behind-the-scenes documentation such as wire frames, site maps, user research findings, feature/functionality matrices, and examples of design, development, and analysis.

Do not include anything that:
You did not have a substantial role in creating.

Contains mistakes and is not your best work.Proprietary or copyright-protected.

Does not showcase the level of experience and skill you are at currently.

If you have any other advice or thoughts on what to add to a portfolio, resusme, or tricks that help to land a job, feel free to comment. I am in need of some good advice. Maybe this could work itself into a money making opportunity. Downloadable .PDF or EBook??? LOL.