How do you update and showcase your resume and portfolio?

Your resume and portfolio are key tools to showcase your skills, achievements, and personality to potential employers or clients. But how do you make sure they are up to date, relevant, and appealing? Here are some tips to help you update and showcase your resume and portfolio in the context of career development coaching.

1 Review your goals and target audience

Before you start updating your resume and portfolio, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and who you want to impress. What are your short-term and long-term career goals? What are the requirements and expectations of your desired industry, role, or project? Who are the decision-makers and influencers in your field? How can you tailor your resume and portfolio to match their needs and interests?

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Michelle LeNore, ED/WOSB - DBE - MBE - WBE - MBA

🧩The missing piece to achieving DEI Collaborations & Partnerships 🔖Minority Gov’t Contracts & Council Certifications Teacher 💵DEI Strategist for MILLION$ Growth
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Keep your reader in mind and the job description. What are they asking for and even if it is a good fit? Make sure you are getting rid of any out of date language or jargon that could create bias or even a novice approach, if you are experienced. I would even say in your summary add a little peak into your future growth plan to let the reader know you are always looking to stay on top of your industry and technology.

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2 Highlight your value proposition and achievements

Your resume and portfolio should not just list your tasks and responsibilities, but also demonstrate your value proposition and achievements. What are the unique skills, qualities, and results that you can offer to your target audience? How have you solved problems, improved performance, or created impact in your previous or current roles or projects? Use specific examples, numbers, and testimonials to back up your claims and show your impact.

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Dan Kiernan

I help people make career transitions.
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A list of tasks and responsibilities don't tell the reader if you're good at your job! A resume should read like a list of achievements. Add outcomes to your bullet points, and if you can, quantify them in some way. This shows the reader that you can make an impact in a job.

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3 Optimize your format and design

Your resume and portfolio should also be easy to read, navigate, and understand. Optimize your format and design to make them visually appealing, consistent, and professional. Use clear headings, bullet points, white space, and fonts to organize your information and highlight your key points. Choose a layout and style that suits your industry, role, or project, and avoid clutter, errors, or distractions. If possible, use a digital format and platform that allows you to share your resume and portfolio online and track their performance.

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Melanie Mitchell Wexler

Career Coach & LinkedIn Strategist | Guiding Professionals to Dream Jobs | LinkedIn ™️ & Resume Optimization | Strategic Interview Preparation | Former Recruiter with 20 yrs. of Exp. ready to Elevate Your Career Journey!
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Making your portfolio/resume visually appealing is the key in determining the overall format and design you choose. Creating a work portfolio allows you to show visual demonstrations of your work. This can be used for multiple types of roles in software development to candidates in the arts or design fields. Organize and design your portfolio/resume in a consistent way that displays your aesthetic, personality and work style.

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4 Showcase your personality and passion

Your resume and portfolio should not only showcase your skills and achievements, but also your personality and passion. How can you express your personal brand, values, and vision in your resume and portfolio? How can you show your enthusiasm, creativity, and curiosity in your field? How can you connect with your target audience on an emotional level? Use your voice, tone, language, and visuals to convey your personality and passion, and make your resume and portfolio stand out from the crowd.

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5 Update and refine regularly

Your resume and portfolio are not static documents, but dynamic tools that need to be updated and refined regularly. As you progress in your career, learn new skills, complete new projects, or change your goals, you need to reflect these changes in your resume and portfolio. Keep track of your achievements, feedback, and opportunities, and update your resume and portfolio accordingly. Also, seek input from mentors, peers, or experts in your field, and use their suggestions to improve your resume and portfolio.

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Angie M. Callen, CERW, CPRW, CPCC

🚀 Award-Winning Career Coach and Resume Writer for Executives, Entrepreneurs, and Tech Professionals 💥 Business Coach to Coaches 💥 Empowering high-performers to achieve career satisfaction.
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Don’t wait until you need to update your resume to update your resume, especially if you’re going to use a resume writer. Thoughtfully crafting a brand (of which a resume is an integral part) takes time, so iterate yours frequently. Keep a log of accomplishments and projects, so it’s easy to recall those stories when you need a bigger update. And, perhaps most importantly: have focused targets. Lack of clarity in a job search is more detrimental than a bad resume!

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6 Share and promote strategically

Finally, your resume and portfolio are not meant to be hidden in a drawer or a folder, but to be shared and promoted strategically. How can you use your resume and portfolio to network, market, and apply for opportunities in your field? How can you leverage your online presence, social media, blogs, websites, or portfolios to showcase your resume and portfolio? How can you follow up, ask for referrals, or negotiate with your target audience after sharing your resume and portfolio? Use your resume and portfolio as tools to build relationships, create value, and advance your career.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Dan Kiernan

I help people make career transitions.
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No matter how good your resume is, it's never going to capture everything you have to offer, your passions and personality. To do this, you have to network with potential employers, and broker conversations where you can tell your story.

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How do you update and showcase your resume and portfolio?

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1 Review your goals and target audience

2 Highlight your value proposition and achievements

3 Optimize your format and design

4 Showcase your personality and passion

5 Update and refine regularly

6 Share and promote strategically

7 Here’s what else to consider

Career Development Coaching

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How do you update and showcase your resume and portfolio?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Review your goals and target audience

2 Highlight your value proposition and achievements

3 Optimize your format and design

4 Showcase your personality and passion

5 Update and refine regularly

6 Share and promote strategically

7 Here’s what else to consider

Career Development Coaching

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