LO1: M1

Discuss the uses and benefits of having a personal media profile

In this report i will be talking about the many advantages of having a personal media profile along with the possible disadvantages of having one. I will also be discussing the formats, these being Digital and Physical.

One method is Websites. They are used to display works that you have done on a digital platform. This kind of portfolio can be used by anyone who has access to the internet They also allow you to present videos written content and photos. These can be linked to the position that you are applying for. One of the main examples is LinkedIn which allows possible employers to gain easy access to your information such as previous experience, your skill set and any other important information relating to your application. However a disadvantage of this is that is an employer for whatever reason has no access to the internet they will not be able to view your personal profile and also if you don’t have many design skills and design a poor website it may be difficult and confusing for the employer to navigate which may put them off resulting in someone else getting the at job/position.

Similarly to websites, blogs allow images, text and videos to be embedded which can help you to present your work all in one place. Blogs also allow employers and others to leave comments giving you feedback. Some examples of blog sites are blogger and word press. They both allow you to share a variety of content with a large number of people. They are easy to update and change and can be accessed any place and time. Similarly to a website, employers wont be able to access them without an internet connection and also some employers might not view them as overly professional.

Another method is a showreel Whitchurch is a short video that shows examples of your past work. This is useful for people such as film makers as it allows them to to show of their skills in shot type along with camera and editing skills. This allows you to show employers what you are capable of as well as showing them your own unique style of film. These can then be embedded onto a website or other media platforms and allows you to show off your best work to the employers. However some disadvantages may be that they can take a while to create. From compiling clips to editing, it can be a time consuming project. Another disadvantage is that it cant be accessed without some kind of digital device and finally it will require quite a bit of content which you might not have enough of to Crete a substantial reel.

Another option is a physical portfolio. This is usually comprised of a folder holding physical art weather that means drawings, paintings, photos etc or even a combination. These images show off your individual style, skills and techniques. They can also show your interests which can all be spoken about within the interview. They can show improvement and they allow you to show off your best work without relying on the internet. However they are at risk of getting damaged and if they do you cant easily recover them. They can also be expensive to create due to printing and supply costs and they can also be time consuming to create and compile.

Finally are CV’s. They can come in either a digital format or a physical format depending on the employers needs. They show off past employment, academic achievements, hobbies and also your skill set along with other things. They show a summary of your life experience and allow employers to see if you are a suitable fit. They will normally be given to the employer along with the application and it allows them to decide if they would like you to come for an interview. They can also be a topic of discussion within the interview. Both formats have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example a digital copy wont be lost by an employer whereas a physical copy might,  a digital copy can be easily edited, a physical copy can be handed directly to the employer so that you have piece of mind in knowing that it has been seen however with both depending on the content of your CV you may come across as self cantered and arrogant to some employers.

In conclusion there are many different types of personal media profiles and they all have their own advantages and disadvantages and the best thing that you can do is listen to what the employers want but also find what works best for you.