With over 4,000 members, how can you stand out in EuropeanPWN?
Creating an online profile is probably one of the most important, and challenging, things to be done if you want to build connections with others via the internet. A detailed, accurate profile not only helps others help you, but also ensures that they can find you and ask for your help when needed.

In the January 2008 newsletter, Barbara introduced you to the EPWN website, this month we are going to take that further and get you to set up, or enhance, your online profile.

First things first...
When people think about creating an online profile, they groan. "It takes too long", "I don't have time", "I don't know how to do it". This month we want to blast those excuses away and get your online profile set up quickly. It doesn't only benefit you, it also helps people you don't know in the network.

At a minimum, we recommend that you complete the following sections:

1. Personal information
2. Photo
3. Background information
4. Contact information
5. Current work information
6. Upload your CV/résumé

To get started, have your CV to hand and this month we'll cover the 'quick and dirty' approach to getting the sections above done and dusted!

Getting started
Before we can really get started, you need to login. Go to the EPWN login page and enter your username and password. If you are already logged in, you'll see the welcome page. If you get stuck, go back and read the January newsletter article, breathe deep and take your time.

To access your profile, click on the Profile link in the left hand column (below Directory and above Support) - it uses a little business card icon . When you click on it, you'll be taken through to a page entitled 'Review and edit your Account & Password information". We'll ignore this for the moment but this is where you can change your password - useful stuff!

Creating a basic profile
To access each of the sections we describe below you'll need to click the appropriate bit of text in the right hand column. The little pencil icon next to an item in the right hand column shows you where you are. In the descriptions below, the text in square brackets is what you have to click eg [Personal].

1. Personal information [Personal]: review and edit basic personal information including your date of birth and nationality. If you make any changes, click the [Apply Changes] button

2. Photo [ID Picture]: I don't know about you but I so appreciate having a picture of someone, please help me and others by uploading a picture. For this you need to have a JPG or JPEG image file that is less than 3MB. If you have one to hand:
   • Click on the [Browse] button and navigate to where your picture is located on your computer
   • Click the [Open] button and you should now be back on the EPWN site
   • Click [Upload & Edit Selected Picture] to do exactly what it says and you are now in a screen where you can select which part of the picture you want to use
   • Play around it by re-sizing the highlighted area. You do this by putting your mouse over the little squares and when it turns into a two-headed arrow, click and drag to resize. When you've got everything as you want it - you see the preview on the right hand side - click [OK]
3. Background information [Education, Languages & Hobbies]: add information on where and what you studied; what you are currently focused on and/or want to specialise in; and then emphasise your polyglot abilities by listing the multiple languages you speak and the out-of-work hobbies and activities you are engaged in. As before, click [Apply Changes] to save what you have added

4. Contact information, [Current Address] and [Permanent Address]: when an EPWN member looks at your virtual business card, then see links to your work and home addresses - these don't actually list them but just display the city and country where you are based eg Milan, Italy. The current address is the most important so fill in your details and then click the [Apply Changes] button
5. Current work information [Professional Info]: fill in this page with your current employment details. At the bottom of the page you get the chance to say if you are currently prospecting (looking for work). This is useful if other EPWN members are looking for staff with a particular profile. If you fit and are looking, they'll be contacting you! As before, click the [Apply Changes] button if you've made any changes
6. Upload your CV/résumé [CV/résumé]: the final piece for this month is for you to upload your CV/ or résumé. If you have a CV in either Microsoft Word (.doc) or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) then simply:
   • Click on the [Browse] button and navigate to where the file is located on your computer
   • Click the [Open] button and you should now be back on the EPWN site
   • Click [Upload Selected Resume] to do exactly what it says

Congratulations
Well done! If you've followed the steps above you now have an online profile that other EPWN and PWA Milan members can access. You have just made it easier for others to find you and increased your visibility in the network - good job!

Next month we'll have more on your online profile and talk about the different ways you can contact other EPWN and PWA Milan members.

Rebecca Loades
webmistress [at] pwa-milan.org