P2: Research

To create a quality, easily updated portfolio takes planning. Take the time to plan out your portfolio before you start working on it.

You should do some research on digital portfolios before you begin to create your own. Before you start building your portfolio, you should understand what is important to your potential employers. Though we can get such information from teachers, instructors, and professors, the best way to find out your potential employers’ wants and needs is to do some research. In this short section, I will explain where to find such information, along with some suggestions for the job search.

Target Audience

Before you create your portfolio, you should understand your target audience. What appeals to them? What is important to them? What should you focus on to get their attention? What traits are they looking for? What traits do they see as valuable? What software or technical skills are they looking for? What buzzwords do you regularly see in their communication?

The easiest way to target your audience is to examine job ads much like your desired job. Look for skills and technical knowledge that will be required for the position. Note terms and buzzwords. The more familiar you are with job ads in your field, the more you can prepare for your future career.

Job Sites

Start by searching job sites. Be careful. Some of these sites require you to register. They might sell your information and will spam your email account regularly. It may be worth it to find the right job but do be aware that spam might happen.

Company’s Website

If you have an idea of the company or companies where you would like to work, take the time to peruse the company’s website. Look for the jobs they post. What do they emphasize? Look for buzzwords like teamwork, creativity, accuracy, and accountability. Watch for mentions of technical skills or specific software. What is important to this company?

Technology Requirements

Since we are focused on building a technology-rich portfolio, make sure you notice the technology requirements listed in any job ad. You can get an idea of what programs you will need to know before entering the workforce from this process as well.

Exercise: Field Requirements Research

In this exercise, you will answer the question, What skills should my portfolio highlight? To answer, analyze three job postings in your chosen area and develop a list of three to five skills that should be highlighted. Write out your analysis.

Before you can start on a digital portfolio, you need to have an idea of employers’ expectations. I know that many of you would rather not focus on that early in your careers. However, you want to plan your focus early on because different areas need different supporting classes and skills.

1. Determine what sub-area or type of job in your field will work for your focus. You may need to research what areas are available in your field and what skills they tend to require.
2. Find three job ads that fit your area of focus. You can use any job posting or job description if it is related to your desired job.
3. Analyze the job ads. Read through the entire ad. What are they looking for in an employee? What skills do they want? What can you tell about this company from the ad? What is essential to this company? Closely analyze each job ad.
4. Determine the skills and experience that will be required for you to acquire one of these jobs. Skills may include soft skills – such as writing or teamwork – and technical skills – such as a particular software or coding language. You need to articulate these skills separately from the analysis and job postings. What classes will you need to take to be ready for this area? What skills do you need to develop?
5. Write a paragraph or two synthesizing what you have learned about the field and the job you are interested in. Then, write another paragraph describing the needed skills in detail. Use all three ads as well as other resources. Point to examples in the ads to support your arguments.
6. Once you have completed the analysis, choose one of the job ads as a target for your portfolio.
7. Discuss your findings in class or a discussion board, if applicable.

Exercise: Portfolio Analysis

To know what should be in your portfolio, look at portfolio of professionals in your field. With that in mind, critique some digital portfolios.

1. Find three portfolios of professionals in your desired area.
2. Note what works and what does not work with the portfolio. Analyze it closely.
3. Here are some things to consider:
4. Design: Is the design original? Does it stand out?
5. Navigation: Is the navigation efficient and effective or cumbersome?
6. Samples/Examples: Are the samples annotated, or do they speak for themselves? Are there any issues with the samples?
7. Annotation: If there is annotation, is it helpful? Is it wordy or concise?
   Is the overall portfolio impressive? Does it underwhelm or overwhelm?
   What could be better? What is excellent?
8. Write out your observations.
9. Share your observations in class or on a discussion board, if applicable.