The Resume/Portfolio Website Project

Welcome to your final major project: The Resume/Portfolio Website. As we discussed in our Module 5 Introduction class, this website will be your personal website dedicated to your professional persona. For this project, you will revise and rebuild the website you began at the beginning of the semester to build a dynamic addition to your job market materials. With this project, you will also gain additional practice in digital writing.

Deliverables

Consider your Resume/Portfolio Website as a digital version of your resume and then some. A successful submission will include:

1. A polished website with the following pages:

  • Landing Page that is not your bio page, but is both visually attractive and easily navigable (see examples).
  • Revised Bio that is roughly 2-3 paragraphs long and includes your image (See Bio Companion page)
  • Resume Page – this is not a cut -and-paste (See Resume Companion Page)
  • Your Blog – Keep writing!
  • A page of your choosing – this can be a portfolio, an ultimate list, etc. Make it relevant to you, your persona, or your profession
  • Contact Info page (include your professional email and socials – highly suggest creating an isolated, professional email)

2. A one-page reflection document that discusses the process and product you have created. At the top of the reflection you will include your website URL. 

Peer Review: December 2 – by 10 pm*

*Submit URLs for review Tuesday Dec. 1

Final Due:  December 9 by 5 pm

Populating the Website

As noted in our syllabus and introductory meetings, I am asking you to begin your work in Word documents rather than the webpages. Beginning in a word processor will help you tighten up the work and catch any errors that come with initial drafting. Once you have edited your work, you will copy and paste your text into its appropriate page. To help facilitate the transfer of this work, use the following guidelines:

  • Work with only one page at a time from revision to transfer. This will help you focus on the task and not get lost or forget to complete any steps.
  • Paste only text. Images and other media will be inserted through the Media Gallery later.
  • Once you transfer your text into the webpage, skim your text for any formatting erasure. These could be loss of bold/italics, bullet points or ordered lists, or indentations. 
  • Once you paste your text, run a preliminary review of the page by clicking the button on the right marked “Preview Changes,” which will open up a new tab. Look at the way the text is organized and formatted and see if you need to make any changes. 
  • Correct any loss of formatting that may have occurred. This includes italics and bold lettering, bullets, or ordered lists. 
  • Reconstruct subheadings by using the dropdown text menu. Select your header style and make sure that it is consistent, not only in the page, but across each page on the site. 
  • Insert images and media that relate to your page and frame the text content. Embed them so they appear polished and a part of the text by clicking on the image to reveal a formatting menu. Practice until the page looks “right” to you.
  • Refresh your review page to preview any edits you make along the way. If your page requires it, make sure you include any citations at the bottom of the page using the subheading “Sources.” 
  • Don’t forget to revise your bio and make sure you have 4-6 blog posts before you submit the final product. 

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Things to Remember

1. You must include images – Include at least one image per page. Images provide visual interest, frame your text, and direct the eye. Use them intentionally and make sure they are relevant (no random puppies unless you intend to be a vet or a pet photographer).

2. Use your headings and subheadings well. These break up chunks of info and serve as signposts for the reader. They should be consistent and make sense.

3. Chunk your text! The wall of words is the death knell of engaged readers. Make your paragraphs small, meaningful, and focused.

4. Revise and edit for repeated words and phrases as much as for repetitious content. If you said it once, you have said it well. Look for where you are putting something, rather than how many times you are saying something. 

5. Select the right theme. You may love the theme you are using, or you may decide it does not fit with the persona you are trying to portray. Kind and approachable? Then, it’s time to nix the Gotham theme. Cutting edge and innovative? Look for themes that are clean, uncluttered, and minimalist. Remember themes are skins, wardrobes for your digital self. Select the right outfit for the job.