10 Things to Do to Impress Employers with Your Portfolio

I’ve spent these past few days browsing through portfolios, and let me tell you, it’s been eye-opening. There are impressive ones and others that need more work. So here are ten things I would like to recommend to those who are currently looking for a job or just building their presence online.

1. The Power of First Impressions You’ve heard it a million times, but it’s true: first impressions are everything. The opening page of a portfolio can make or break it. A clean, well-organized layout instantly grabs attention. Remember, people: polish that first page like it’s the cover of a bestselling novel.

2. Consistency is Key A cohesive portfolio tells a story. Whether it's the color scheme, typography, or overall design style, keeping things consistent shows professionalism and attention to detail. It's like the glue that holds the whole thing together.

3. Show, Don’t Tell Less talking, more showing. Portfolios that are heavy on visuals and light on text are more engaging. Let your work speak for itself. Highlighting key projects with brief, impactful descriptions works wonders.

4. Diversity Wins A diverse portfolio showcasing a range of skills and projects stands out. Whether it’s different types of design, various mediums, or a mix of personal and professional work, variety keeps things interesting.

5. Attention to Detail Typos, inconsistent margins, and sloppy layouts are a no-go. Attention to detail in a portfolio is a direct reflection of how meticulous someone is in their work. Double-check everything before hitting ‘send.’

6. Personality Matters Injecting a bit of personality makes a portfolio memorable. Whether it's a unique design, a quirky project, or a fun bio section, a little flair goes a long way in making a lasting impression.

7. Context is Crucial Including the context of your work—such as the brief, your role, and the outcome—provides a complete picture. It helps viewers understand not just what you did, but why and how you did it.

8. User Experience is Everything Navigating a portfolio should be a breeze. Simple, intuitive navigation and a responsive design make it easy for viewers to find what they’re looking for. If they have to hunt for it, they’re likely to move on.

9. Be Honest Authenticity is refreshing. Presenting genuine work, including challenges and learning experiences, resonates more than over-polished, perfect-looking projects. Be real, and people will appreciate it.

10. Update Regularly An up-to-date portfolio is a relevant portfolio. Regular updates with recent projects and new skills keep things fresh and show that you’re actively working and growing in your field.

I hope these 10 things will help you feel more inspired to work on your portfolio. Always remember that it represents you and what you can do. Don't be lazy or cut corners. Impress them with your work!

Here are some popular sites you can use to build your portfolio:

1. Behance (www.behance.net)

2. Dribbble (www.dribbble.com)

3. Adobe Portfolio (www.portfolio.adobe.com)

4. Wix (www.wix.com)

5. Squarespace (www.squarespace.com)

6. WordPress (www.wordpress.com)

7. Carbonmade (www.carbonmade.com)

8. PortfolioBox (www.portfoliobox.net)

9. Weebly (www.weebly.com)

10. Cargo (www.cargo.site)

These platforms offer various features and templates to help you create a professional and visually appealing portfolio.

Good luck, and have fun working on it!