Job Hunt Support Series #2 - Profile Development, Part 2
Resumé is done and ready to start applying. But, the work doesn't end there. Nowadays, resumés are just the first step. Ever noticed how in recent years, every single job application form started asking for a LinkedIn profile? A personal website or online portfolio?
It would be too simplistic to attribute this shift to just one thing. AI, market uncertainty, social media, the economy.
This shift has been in the making since the early 2000s.
Now we're here and in very uncertain terms. In this post we'll dive deep into what makes a cohesive and strong online presence, why it matters regardless of your field and what makes people stand out.
Missed Part 1 of Profile Development? Click, here.
Before you get started, assess what you need.
For creatives, the need for an online website or portfolio is self-evident. The work is visual and experiencial in nature, so it needs to live in some form of interactive experience or display where it can speak for itself. Some might choose social media as their primary outlet, while maintaining a website or an online store.
For other professionals, the purpose might be less clear. The goals are different. Depending on your area of expertise, you can leverage different platforms and tools to share your impact and point of view.
"So, what is the goal?"
The goal here is to create an online presence that can give recruiters or potential partners an opportunity to get a glimpse of who you are and what you're about with regards to your area of expertise. Being more specific, you want to let the right people know that you know.
The truth is, we're all fighting the same fight. Every day, more and more AI generated and AI-driven content saturates all aspects of our lives. It's hard to cut through the noise and find real value in what's out there. This is true to companies as much as it is to candidates. We should be knowledgeable in AI but not use it during a recruitment process that has been profoundly changed by it. It's a tricky dicotomy to navigate.
But, if we're truly honest with ourselves, it is possible. Now, possible and easy are not the same thing. It requires skill, strategy and experimentation.
The other day, I connected with a really talented designer on LinkedIn. I was blown away by her portfolio and felt the need to reach out and let her know that her work had had an impact on me.
Elaine Yu created this wonderful website combining her skills in illustration, product design and by leveraging AI tools to streamline her development process. It was a beautiful user experience and I read through every single piece of content in there.
Every day, more and more designers are approaching their portfolio in unique ways that reflect their individuality and point of view while at the same time communicating the business impact of their craft effectively.
"What if I want to keep it simple?"
Here's a great example of a more understated approach that communicates equally effectively.
Kara Kotwas' professional dot com.
State who you are, what you're about and what you're looking for. You don't need to be an A-list web designer to achieve these. There are many drag-and-drop website builders with their own template marketplaces that can set you up for a great starting point. You probably have some product design friends that could take a look at your work and provide some feedback.
Note: Before you start creating your website, look for inspiration. There's a lot of talented people out there creating cool things. Begin by searching the websites of professionals you look up and pick an execution to serve as your north star.
What if you're not a designer, a developer or an artist?
Truth is, it's not all about websites. Social media is also an important resource to tap into for visibility. But like all authentic things, it has to be intentional. Don't share an article you only read the headline of (or an AI summary of) or the post everyone is reposting.
Share your personal projects, your process, the point of view you always monologue about while you're pouring your morning hot drink of choice.
I'm not a particularly prolific poster on LinkedIn, but ever since I started posting occasionally, my profile visibility and reach increased. Once every two weeks or so is a pretty attainable goal.
"But what should I post about?"
I recently had a job hunt support session with a really talented HR professional. I asked her about her employment status, which she had set as "unemployed" which to her meant, she was not doing much. Upon digging a bit, I realized she had done some mentoring sessions, given talks. She was indeed unemployed, but she was working.
Here are some examples of things you can post about:
News content and relevant insights about your craft: This is the quick and easy one. You read an interesting article, or an insightful post that got your mind racing. Share that. Include a short comment about it. You don't have to write an essay every time you share an article, but make sure you do the exercise of sharing your point of view or thoughts on it.
Personal projects related to your career path: A project can be anything. From a workshop you created to a branding project or a new substack you're starting. Maybe a podcast? A new business venture. No matter how big or small the project is, it shows people what you care about and what you find to be worth your time to perfect and do.
Professional services: If you're a consultant, freelancer, a private tutor or a mentor, let people know what services you provide. Share testimonials from past clients or snippets of your process or learnings throughout.
The key is that you share whatever feels right and natural for you to share. Authenticity is as important as ever.
However many tools you choose to add to your toolbox, developing a well-rounded, consistent professional profile will only contribute to further enhance your visibility, give testimony of your expertise and help you make your value as a professional self evident.
In the next post, we'll dive deep into Keyword tinkering and Content Strategy to make our professional profile readable by ATSs (resumé) and discoverable online (website).
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