Building a Digital CV
Because your next job might come from your LinkedIn, not a PDF.
Once upon a time, your CV was your golden ticket. Type it up in Word, chuck in a few jobs, and pray the formatting held when you saved it as a PDF.
Now? Not so much.
Whether you’re trying to land your first job, gunning for a promotion, or plotting a career pivot, most people will Google you before they ever open your CV. That’s why your digital CV - aka your online presence - is just as important (if not more) than the two-page doc you spent all night angrily formatting.
So, what is a digital CV?
It’s not one thing - it can be a bit of everything. It’s your LinkedIn profile, your portfolio site, your Instagram grid, your Notion page, your Substack newsletter, your “here’s-some-work-I’m-proud-of” TikTok. It’s where people get a sense of who you are, what you care about, and what you can do.
The format depends on what you’re aiming for.
Graphic designers might lean into IG or Behance to showcase their work. Web developers should make sure their personal site is sharp and functional. For strategists, a strong, well-written LinkedIn profile goes a long way. Writers can build their presence through a blog or a consistent newsletter.
Basically, whatever platform shows off what you do best - use that.
Ok so - where to begin?
1. LinkedIn: less beige than you think
Yes, LinkedIn is unfortunately full of hustle posts and humble brags. But it’s also where recruiters live. Your profile doesn’t need to be stiff or corporate. A punchy bio, a friendly photo, and a Featured section with your best work can go a long way.
And remember to actually participate - post post post. This could be mini case studies, reflections, hot takes - whatever feels true to you. Push through the cringe and get your name out there.
2. Claim your corner of the internet
You don’t need a £1,000 portfolio site. You just need somewhere that says: “Hi, here’s what I do.”
→ Try Cargo, Semplice, Squarespace or Notion
→ Link to your work, include contact info, keep it clean and clear
→ Think of it as your creative shop window - not everything you’ve ever done, just the good stuff
3. Get visual
Creative industries are visual by nature, so if that fits your work, lean into it.
→ Designers: share work-in-progress, rejected ideas, mood boards
→ Writers: screenshot campaigns you love and break them down
→ Developers: record a screen share demo of that app you built in week 5 of bootcamp
It doesn’t have to be polished. In fact, the messier stuff often feels more human - and more interesting.
4. Make it feel like you
This bit’s important. The best digital CVs aren’t perfect, they’re personal. Show your personality, your perspective, your passion (yes, we said it). If you’re funny, be funny. If you’re into typography, make your font choices count. If you’re still figuring it out - that’s OK. Say that. It’s better than pretending.
Final thoughts from your unofficial career coach:
A digital CV isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about being somewhere, and doing it well.
Pick 1–2 platforms you can keep fresh - no one wants to click on your site and find “Coming soon” since 2022.
Think of it like curating your own creative trailer. Make people want to see the full film.
Your PDF CV still matters (for now). But your digital CV is what gets you noticed. And in a world where everyone’s swiping, scrolling, stalking (and maybe not even advertising roles) before they hire - it’s worth making yours stand out.