A portfolio is a document that is usually included with a Vurriculum Vitae (CV) in the recruitment process. A portfolio is a systematic document that contains personal data, work history, education history, and a person's work that can be used as a basis for assessing whether someone is competent for the position being applied for. A portfolio is an important document for someone's career development. Just like an SEO portfolio, this document will help you develop your career in the SEO field.
What is SEO in portfolio?
An SEO portfolio is a document that functions as an attachment to the work you have done in the field of Search Engine Optimization. This document will later be proof that you have the ability in the SEO field and of course will provide added value in the eyes of recruiters. When compared to a CV, an SEO portfolio will attach in detail the skills and experience possessed by the applicant.
Why does SEO need a portfolio?
The SEO profession is one of the jobs that requires special skills to be able to achieve success in its work. A portfolio will show the skills you have with evidence in the form of work that has been produced.
This document will certainly differentiate you from other candidates who apply. In addition, the SEO portfolio is one of the recruiter's determinants of whether you are a candidate who fits the criteria needed by the company.
What needs to be shown in an SEO portfolio?
The SEO portfolio that is created must display important elements that will make you stand out in the eyes of the recruiter. The elements that need to be displayed in an SEO portfolio are as follows
1. Self-Description
In the self-description, tell the professional information that the recruiter should know. In this section, create an interesting impression for both the reader and the recruiter. For example, write about your interest in SEO and how you started learning SEO. In addition, you also add your profession, skills offered, and achievements that have been achieved in the description column.
2. Education
Education is an important thing that must be included in the portfolio. In addition to formal education, you can include non-formal education that you have taken, such as courses in digital marketing or SEO.
No less important than your work history, you also have to include your educational background. Here, you can include courses you have taken that are relevant to your job as an SEO Specialist. For example, you have taken a Mini Course Digital Marketing from RevoU.
3. Work History
This column will provide a plus point for the portfolio, especially if you have a relevant background related to SEO. This is because the work background that is owned will show that the candidate has understood the job description that will be worked on when becoming an SEO Specialist
In addition, provide information about the company where you previously worked. Thus, the recruiter will explore the company's profile and find out how big your role is in the company's success.
If the skills and abilities section is used to mention what abilities you have, this section is the time for you to provide evidence of those skills.
a. Already Have Experience
If you already have work experience as an SEO Specialist, it will be easier for you to include the results of your previous work. Show how you have optimized SEO on the website. Also specifically include how the traffic was obtained by mentioning clear numbers.
You don't need to show all of your work results in dozens of portfolio pages. It is important to remember that quality must exceed quantity. Summarize the results of the work in just a few of the best works.
b. No Experience
Don't worry if you don't have a work history as an SEO Specialist. Do a case study related to SEO optimization. For example, you can look for a company website that seems interesting to do SEO optimization efforts or create your own website. Show the steps you took in carrying out the optimization.
You can also explain how to choose topics and do keyword research, what benchmarks you use, as well as how you monitor and respond to the results that have been obtained.
4. Skill
Skill is a specific ability that will make it easier for you to do something. Show the skills you have and are relevant to SEO work and group these skills into hard skills and soft skills. Becoming an SEO Specialist requires special skills. This is where you can show your skills according to the job you are applying for.
As an option, you can divide the writing of skills into two categories, namely hard skills and soft skills. Examples of skills that SEO Specialists must have are as follows:
- Able to operate various tools such as Ahrefs, SEMrush, Ubersuggest, and so on.
- Have research skills, including keyword research, competitor research, to the latest trends.
- Have good time management.
- Able to perform data analysis.
5. Projects that have been worked on
In this section, you can display all the best SEO work that has ever been created. This section will be the recruiter's assessment in assessing your qualifications and seeing whether the SEO success you have achieved is the same as the company.
6. Contact
After compiling all the portfolio elements well, don't forget to provide your contact. By putting a contact, it will be easy for recruiters to contact you after knowing the competencies you have. The contact column usually includes an email address, telephone number, and LinkedIn URL.
How to make an impressive portfolio?
Here are tips for creating a portfolio that looks attractive to recruiters.
1. Attractive design
A portfolio is a person's branding tool regarding the competencies they have to attract recruiters when applying for a job. So, choose an attractive design with colors that are not too contrasting. An attractive appearance will give an attractive impression to the reader.
2. Clear information
As a branding tool, of course, a portfolio must be able to provide information clearly and in accordance with its purpose. The purpose of a portfolio is as information about work background, the best work ever done, to as an authentic tool based on a person's performance.
3. Make it organized
Create an organized portfolio so that readers can more easily understand the SEO portfolio you have. The composition of the portfolio is cover, table of contents, self-summary (profile), education history, experience and skills, work results, achievements, contact information.
Tips for an Informative and Attractive Portfolio
An informative and attractive portfolio will increase your chances of getting a job.
1. Make it Concise and Organized
To make your portfolio look professional, create clear and organized pages. A portfolio that is arranged concisely and orderly will make it easier for recruiters to understand what really needs to be highlighted in the SEO portfolio.
2. Include Testimonials You Have Received
Including professional testimonials or letters of recommendation from managers, seniors, coaches, clients, or others about previous work results will be beneficial and add plus points to you in the eyes of recruiters. This means that you really master SEO and are worthy of being considered as the selected candidate that the company is looking for.
3. Create Attractive Visuals
An SEO portfolio also requires attractive visual designs. Think about several things such as color nuances, fonts, and other designs that you will use in the portfolio. Keep in mind that attractive visuals do not mean you have to create excessive designs that make your portfolio difficult to read. Create elegant visuals that are simple or minimalist.
As a tip, you can add some images so that the portfolio does not look monotonous with just a series of texts or paragraphs.
4. Up to Date
Make sure your portfolio stays up to date with the times and your career. Just like a CV or resume, you need to update your portfolio as often as possible, such as every 6 months or once a year. This is useful so that when needed at any time, the portfolio remains fresh and updated with the latest work and achievements.
5. Meet the Required Criteria
Companies usually have different criteria for SEO Specialist positions. Each of these criteria is based on the level required. Before applying, make sure you know the level of expertise that suits you, whether you are at entry level, mid-level, or senior level.
Example of an SEO Specialist Portfolio
Here is an example of an SEO Specialist portfolio that can be a reference for you in creating an attractive portfolio.
Before creating an SEO portfolio, make sure you have relevant skills that will make your job as an SEO Specialist easier. In addition, relevant skills will give recruiters a plus point for you.
This SEO portfolio example from Revou alumni Angelina J. De Yong can also be used as a reference. She has experience as an SEO Specialist and currently works as a Product Marketing Associate at Binar Academy...
