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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 2/8/2008
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Location: Texas
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Hi, I have an online portfolio into which I've put a decent amount of effort. The URL is on my resume after my phone number and after my full name on cover letters. Google Analytics tells me I've got nary a hit, even from people who interviewed me. So...should I draw special attention to it in the letter? Stop including it altogether? Mention it during the interview? None of the above? 
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 1/31/2008
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Location: Oregon
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Yes, I think it wouldn't hurt to draw attention to it. Just a line in the cover letter might do more to attract people's attention than simply listing it in the contact info.
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: kansas
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I agree; put a sentence in about it in your cover letter. They may not be looking at the contact information first off. I don't look at that information carefully until after I have looked at the resume, so it is very possible they don't see it. Is it listed on your resume as a creative or professional item? It probably should be in there with conference presentations and that sort of thing.
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Rank: Member
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I almost always add an invitation to visit my online portfolio, usually in the last paragraph. So far the only viewer has been a potential coworker....I never wondered til now how she knew that I was a candidate.....
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: Texas
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Thanks for the feedback. Eeep, conference presentations...I'm a newbie and haven't been to a conference yet. :0/
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Rank: Member
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Location: Moscow, ID
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I wouldn't discourage you from including it in cover letters, but I know at my institution, we were told by HR that we probably shouldn't visit personal websites of candidates unless we specifically request them from all candidates - something about being unfair to those who don't know they can share them with search committee members. So that might be one reason why those interviewing you haven't visited the site (if you're applying at academic libraries that is).
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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rosebudy23 wrote:I wouldn't discourage you from including it in cover letters, but I know at my institution, we were told by HR that we probably shouldn't visit personal websites of candidates unless we specifically request them from all candidates - something about being unfair to those who don't know they can share them with search committee members. So that might be one reason why those interviewing you haven't visited the site (if you're applying at academic libraries that is). I can see why HR would say such a thing in today's lawsuit happy environment. On the other hand, unless your job ad said "do not include web links", I do not know if we need to harm the candidates that put forth the extra effort that sets them apart.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Rank: Administration
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Joined: 11/5/2007
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There's a lovely "Ten Steps to the Perfect Portfolio Website" article at Smashing magazine: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/02/26/10-steps-to-the-perfect-portfolio-website/... get inspired! :)
Rachel Singer Gordon / rachel@lisjobs.comFind a library job: http://www.lisjobs.comThe Liminal Librarian: http://www.lisjobs.com/blog
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Rank: Newbie
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Joined: 3/3/2009
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Location: New York
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I agree that the HR issue can prevent viewing of your online portfolio. Since I was previously in the position to hire librarians, I can tell you that I did not have the time to go beyond the straightforward resume. In fact, I remember an applicant who emailed me only his URL. I emailed him back and asked him to forward a resume. Aside from being time consuming and not HR approved, it is difficult to share with members of a search committee. However, once I decided on my candidate of choice, I did view the online portfolio. So, it certainly does not hurt to add one!
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 11/19/2007
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Location: New York
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I always look at a candidate's electronic information. I think online portfolios are growing (as they should be) in our digital age, and might even replace the paper resume/vita. HR departments are going to have to accept this. I find electronic portfolios save me time, and I really appreciate it when a candidate has one. They are much easier to share with a search committee than paper copies of resumes.
So, having said that - you should definitely draw attention to it in your cover letter, and mention it during an interview. Your electronic portfolio is an extension of your resume, something that highlights your experience, skills, and knowledge in a professional and creative way. Prospective employers should want to review it.
Electronic portfolios are quite different from personal web pages. Refrain from putting personal or peripheral information on it. There are plenty of other venues for these things.
And, remember, if you have other "personal" sites out there, that are open for anyone to see, make sure that they are not presenting you in a bad light. Expect that future employers and search committees will Google you.
Best of luck in your job search!
Susanne Markgren
Digital Services Librarian
Purchase College, SUNY
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Make sure your e-portfolio has a friendly print version. If there is something it it very positive or there is something they would want to discuss in an interview, a HR person or search committee would want to print it out. Make sure it prints nicely even though it is basically a digital portfolio only.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
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Rank: Advanced Member
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Joined: 11/19/2007
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Location: New York
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Quote:Make sure your e-portfolio has a friendly print version. Yes! I agree. Your e-portfolio should have a PDF version of your resume on it (or linked from it), ready to be printed/downloaded. Try to use PDFs rather than Word files. They will retain your original formatting and fonts, create better printouts, are accessible to more people, and perhaps most importantly - the content is more secure (not easily editable). http://www.print-driver.com/http://www.resumetemplates-usa.com/formatting-issues-pdf-vs-word-doc/
Susanne Markgren Digital Services Librarian Purchase College, SUNY
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