Job opportunities for well-paying jobs that complements your academic expertise and background are few and far between in the world we are living in right now. The fact of the matter is that, this is not new information for many and people have accepted that fact and are now trying to apply for all job openings regardless of the job description. The increasing number of individuals entering the job market coupled with the current sluggish state of the economy makes the situation even worse for job seekers. So, the need of the hour to improve your chances of getting employed is to stand out from the rest of the crowd. Uniqueness attracts attention from employees and if you can make the best out of the given situation you can convert that heightened interest into a job.

With that said, it is hard to be unique in the current scenario but still, there is an easy and cost-effective way in which you can raise your profile in the job market. Here comes portfolios and portfolios are one of the best ways in which one can showcase their competencies and, a portfolio is a tangible evidence of the work that you have done. This is much appreciated by employers and having a good portfolio may sometimes be the difference between you bagging your dream job opportunity or you being back to square one. So, now let’s take a look at what all are the advantages of creating a professional portfolio.

In the current context where there is an evident skill gap as well as an increasing advancement made in automated technology, as a job seeker you should at least focus on building up a portfolio that includes your greatest achievements and shows prospective employers what you can bring to the table

• Showing off your Professional Ark in a Convincing Manner: The most important objective of creating a portfolio is to tell your professional narrative to the employers in the best way possible.  Having a professional portfolio will allow you to creatively showcase your entire professional journey in a compelling way in front of a prospective employer. Other than your professional work, one can also include the other works you have done outside your professional career, be it an internship you have done or a research or project work that you have been a part of. One thing to keep in mind if you are adding additional things in your portfolio is that it should complement the other things that you have mentioned in the portfolio, otherwise, it will stick out like a sore thumb.

• Tangible Evidence: As I mentioned before, portfolios are one of the most effective ways in which you can show your credibility for the work that you have done and the skillsets that you possess. Unlike in normal interview scenarios where candidates might be hyperbolic about certain qualities that they possess in order to get that job, with portfolios, one has got visible evidence that employers can see and this will let the employer know that you don’t just talk the talk but you also walk the walk. This will massively increase your chances of getting employed.

• Acts a Personal Hall of Fame: A portfolio allows you to showcase your best works to your employers. So, by showing your best works and achievements you will be able to attract more attention from prospective employers. This will also help you to get an edge over the rest and bag that dream job of yours without creating a major fuss. By seeing all your best works, an employer can also gauge your expertise and this makes it even easier for employers to hire the right candidate for the job.

These three makes some of the most compelling reasons why a job seeker should have a portfolio and what advantages having a portfolio offers to its creator. In the current context where there is an evident skill gap as well as an increasing advancement made in automated technology, as a job seeker you should at least focus on building up a portfolio that includes your greatest achievements and shows prospective employers what you can bring to the table.