Career Services Center Old Main 280 ~ (360) 650-3240 Western Washington University Updated August 26, 2011

Getting Started on Optimal Resume: E-Portfolio!

1. From the home page at www.careers.wwu.edu, select the “Build a Resume On-line” link in the bottom right hand corner.

2. The Optimal Resume Log-in page will appear with a sign in area for established users on the right and a link for new users to “Create an Account” on the top left.

Career Services Center Old Main 280 ~ (360) 650-3240 Western Washington University Updated August 26, 2011

3. Use your Western Washington University e-mail address to start an account.

4. Once the account information page appears, re-enter your WWU e-mail address and create a password you will remember. This page contains the information that forms the base for your portfolio and resume.

Career Services Center Old Main 280 ~ (360) 650-3240 Western Washington University Updated August 26, 2011

5. When this form is completed, you will proceed to the main Optimal Resume Document Center. To begin a portfolio, select “Create New Portfolio”. You also have the options to create a website, resume, skills assessment and interview.

6. The first step will be to name the portfolio. A tutorial is available to the right.

Career Services Center Old Main 280 ~ (360) 650-3240 Western Washington University Updated August 26, 2011

7. The next prompt will be to name your “project”. In this tool a “project” title is your heading for a section of your portfolio. You will eventually want to establish 2-3 or more headings that group your work and learning.

8. Under each “project” you will enter “files” which document your work. These can be comprised of many different types of work including images, written work, audio or visual files.

Career Services Center Old Main 280 ~ (360) 650-3240 Western Washington University Updated August 26, 2011

9. Sample portfolios can be found on the home document page under website examples. The last three website samples contain portfolios.

10. For more in-depth assistance with the Portfolio Builder click on the help button in the black bar towards the top of your screen or on the “Sample” button for a printable PDF step-by-step guide. The webinar described in #6 is another good source for information.

WWU’s Career Services Center is also available to answer questions and guide you in developing a professional portfolio.