Online Portfolio Question

Reds-on-Sea

Hi all,

I'm currently very close to finishing my own website which apart from advertising my various skills (so I can earn a few extra quid on top of my current job), has my online portfolio and CV on it for prospective employers to view.

Do you think it's wise to have the CV/portfolio section private (i.e. password protected) so that my current employers (and any other randoms) can't go snooping?

I plan to advertise the website everywhere and tell all my friends about it etc, obviously I want to generate business for myself, but I also don't want to put off any prospective new employers by putting them through the rigmorol of "email me for username & password to view my work" - like they're gonna bother with that when they have 100s of applications for a job.

Also, I'm advertising design work (though it's on a separate page), and other people who want smaller, freelance work may find it useful to look at my portfolio, as it's global branding etc, they might think it's impressive??

Maybe I could just put work there, and not my CV??

Any suggestions?

thanks

DKLS

I would have the CV page password protected but not the portfolio. When I looks for GDs, all I want to see is portfolio and contact details. If I had to email to request login details I wouldn't bother.

conordal123

Ive just created a CV myself and i password protected the CV part of it. http://www.dalrymple.info

Mr._Tibs

Some of my friends portfolios sites have CV sections on but to gain access to them, you need a password - which you can recieve if you email the person and ask.

Fair enough.

However, I ask myself, is there an overwhelming need for the person to email you, ask for a password, and then log in to see your CV. Would it not be easier to put up a CV without any address or phones numbers? Or alternatively, tell visitors if they want a CV they should email and ask?

My own belief is that as long as you have solid examples of work, then a potential employer will contact you for either a password, or a request for CV, or a job offer.

If your work isn't up to the standard, they won't be getting in touch.

Good luck - I think I'll end up having to pay for my portfolio site to be built

Reds-on-Sea

Thanks for the input, yes, I've decided to put work samples only (non-downloadable) I'd imagine the majority of people visiting to look at my work will already have my CV, so I'll just add a note that says "email for cv" or similar. Anyone coming to me for design work will be able to also view it.

Conor, I just looked at your site, it's nice enough, but very personal, I'd be tempted to keep my professional page, just that, and leave all the personal stuff for facebook/myspace etc.

I'm off to some creative seminars today, all about branding myself and portfolios etc. Hopefully I'll come back with some useful advice