Turn your CV into a living record of what you have achieved so far in career

EVER PUT 110 percent into crafting a killer CV for the job of your dreams, and then not even making the shortlist for an interview?

The thing is, the kind of skills that make you attractive to a potential employer aren’t always gained in a linear fashion, which means it’s not always easy to portray them as such.

Which is why the best thing you can do for your career right now is to compile a comprehensive portfolio of evidence.

That’s the advice from the team at Getsmarter online education company.

They explain that a portfolio of evidence is a digital showcase of your skills and accomplishments, tailored for the specific position that you are applying for.

How does it differ from your CV? Unlike a CV, a digital portfolio isn’t limited to a two page, flat format, but can include a variety of multimedia artifacts that display your work experience, hard skills, soft skills and professional work.

It’s a job interview musthave. Your portfolio of evidence tells the story about your professional growth. It will be vital in proving your ability to take on a role, further your educational qualification, or simply to earn the trust and respect of prospective clients and employers.

Getsmarter advises you to make sure your portfolio includes the following:

Your CV – You might choose to keep your CV as a separate document, but if you keep it brief you can also include it as part of your digital portfolio.

Try and limit it to one page, and include information about your education, past work experience and professional development.

Digital copies of any certificates related to your tertiary education or skills development – Include digital copies of your degree certificate, as well as any other certificates that provide evidence of your professional development.

References – Include one or two written references on your character, as well as job-specific skills and competencies. Limit these to one-page each, and make sure that they are from a reputable referee.

Artifacts and examples of professional work – Do you have any artifacts or examples of work from previous jobs? Perhaps you put together a digital marketing strategy, modelled your business’s processes, or gave a great presentation to your team? If you feel that they are relevant, include them.

LinkedIn recommendations – Have any of your former colleagues or employers written you a recommendation on Linkedin? Add this to your portfolio using the LinkedIn plugin.

For more career advice as well as information about online courses, visit www.getsmarter.co.za.