1 00:00:00,340 --> 00:00:05,255 Previously, we covered what your users would expect when viewing your portfolio. 2 00:00:05,255 --> 00:00:09,850 But let's now talk about what you would like to expect. 3 00:00:09,850 --> 00:00:13,810 We need to establish your expectations because your portfolio 4 00:00:13,810 --> 00:00:18,470 is a collection of what you value and what you are passionate about. 5 00:00:18,470 --> 00:00:23,890 And how you're chasing after those things with a long-term career in mind. 6 00:00:24,930 --> 00:00:26,090 In other words, 7 00:00:26,090 --> 00:00:30,349 we need to establish your personal brand or the practice of marketing yourself. 8 00:00:31,790 --> 00:00:36,750 Your personal brand is a culmination of your personality and 9 00:00:36,750 --> 00:00:39,460 the things you do, and care about. 10 00:00:39,460 --> 00:00:45,070 Your personal brand defines the voice you use throughout your portfolio. 11 00:00:45,070 --> 00:00:51,090 So it's important to consider three primary factors when defining your voice, 12 00:00:51,090 --> 00:00:55,800 proficiency, authenticity, and consistency. 13 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:57,210 Let's define these. 14 00:00:58,220 --> 00:01:02,690 First, proficiency is the strength of your skill set. 15 00:01:02,690 --> 00:01:07,050 We rely on proficiency to discuss what specific skills 16 00:01:07,050 --> 00:01:09,560 you bring to the portfolio. 17 00:01:09,560 --> 00:01:13,130 Are you quick when it comes to coding and swift? 18 00:01:13,130 --> 00:01:16,640 Do you have a keen eye for typography and mobile devices? 19 00:01:16,640 --> 00:01:19,320 These are your bragging rights. 20 00:01:19,320 --> 00:01:22,750 Even if you're early in the adoption of these skills, 21 00:01:22,750 --> 00:01:26,360 be proud of what you've learned. 22 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:29,550 But remember that you're still in the process of learning. 23 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:33,380 Second is authenticity. 24 00:01:33,380 --> 00:01:36,340 Authenticity is the clarity of your values. 25 00:01:36,340 --> 00:01:41,840 Meaning, what are the things that matter to you both professionally and personally? 26 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:45,130 Are you excited about certain types of projects or subject matter? 27 00:01:46,150 --> 00:01:51,380 I'm strongly encouraging you to use an active voice when writing. 28 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:53,960 Here's an example. 29 00:01:53,960 --> 00:01:58,875 My talents and passions are my guide as I train for 30 00:01:58,875 --> 00:02:02,390 start-up life in the next chapter of my career. 31 00:02:02,390 --> 00:02:08,130 That sounds far more engaging than I hope that I might work for a start-up one day. 32 00:02:08,130 --> 00:02:14,340 On the language that you incorporate into describing your projects and process. 33 00:02:14,340 --> 00:02:19,340 Last, we have consistency or the predictability of your message. 34 00:02:19,340 --> 00:02:25,840 This is a very important but often, overlooked piece of building a portfolio. 35 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:27,830 You want the way you show and 36 00:02:27,830 --> 00:02:32,510 discuss your work to be predictable in the context of your portfolio. 37 00:02:33,590 --> 00:02:38,500 This predictability shows up as formatting, scale, language, 38 00:02:38,500 --> 00:02:44,030 and even in the form of using a spell check to avoid possible errors. 39 00:02:44,030 --> 00:02:46,700 Are you speaking formally, or informally? 40 00:02:46,700 --> 00:02:48,520 Long form or brief? 41 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:50,680 Humorous or serious? 42 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:56,450 Consistency goes a long way to adding a professional polish to your body of work. 43 00:02:57,650 --> 00:02:59,730 The thing that makes you, 44 00:02:59,730 --> 00:03:03,550 you is exactly what we are looking to highlight in your portfolio. 45 00:03:04,590 --> 00:03:09,516 You aren't everybody else, and you should acknowledge, appreciate, 46 00:03:09,516 --> 00:03:14,371 and use those differences to give you a voice that sets you apart as well. 47 00:03:14,371 --> 00:03:15,400 I'll see you in the next video.