Our mselect career services guide will show you how to create a portfolio of work examples to present to potential employers. Join us, and let's work together to help you stand out in your next job application!
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of hypothetical or working examples that show your knowledge, skills and creativity in a job. You use the collection to showcase your potential to future employers.
There are different types of portfolios, such as academic portfolios, career portfolios, and creative portfolios.
● Academic portfolios typically include academic transcripts, research papers, and other academic achievements.
● Career portfolios, on the other hand, include work samples, performance evaluations, and other evidence of professional growth.
● Creative portfolios showcase an artist's or designer's work, including sketches, drawings, and finished products.
Depending on your current job, you may or may not feel you need a portfolio during your job search. A strong CV and cover letter might be enough. Do some research before you make your final decision.
Why is a portfolio important?
A great portfolio can establish your credibility, growth, and potential as a prospective employee. It can also leave a lasting impression, helping you stand out among your competitors.
How to create a portfolio and what to include
When creating your portfolio, you must consider what you want to show. While there is no hard and fast rule to a portfolio's content, you will want to show
● achievements
● demonstrations that you understand the job
● working on ideas and innovations in your field
Here's an example. Let's say you are interviewing for a graphics design job where you will create social media ads. Your portfolio should be filled with successful projects from your last few jobs, ideas for campaigns related to the job you are applying for, and examples of innovative ideas for ads you'd like to make.
Your previous successful projects will be critical because they show a working knowledge. Back these up with ad performance and testimonials from the client, to give you plenty of conversation points during your interview.
If you need to submit your portfolio before meeting a potential employer, remember to include as many pointers as possible. Context is everything! The more information you can give on navigating and reading your portfolio, the more precise the examples will be to the employer.
What do you do if you don't have current working examples for your portfolio?
When starting or transitioning to a new field, you won't have working examples for your portfolio. Don't worry; this is your opportunity to think outside the box. Instead, create portfolio projects that reflect your understanding of the field you are entering.
For example, let's say you are applying to become a journalist but have yet to have any printed or live examples of published work. Your portfolio should include several potential articles for similar publications or columns that show your range and versatility.
What do you do if your work cannot be shared due to confidentiality clauses?
Non-disclosure agreements or NDAs can be common when working with corporations or brands. If this is the case, you can still describe the project's scope, your role, and the results you achieved without giving detailed information. This will give potential employers an idea of your experience and capabilities.
For example, you are a technical engineer working on solar energy, but the specific project is under NDA - you can't talk about it. Without giving details of the project or its technology, you could showcase how you optimised the setup by discussing your approach to the problem. In this case, your thinking demonstrates how you might react under pressure or to specific issues. Your technical problem-solving is the project, not the tech or the client.
When to start your portfolio
If you need a portfolio or think it will be helpful in your job search, today is the perfect day to start.
Once you have created your first portfolio, fill it with examples for each job you apply for or interview for. Having a range of projects at your disposal will make longer job searches easier to handle.
When you get work, ensure you keep adding to your work portfolio. Keeping up-to-date as you progress through your work with an employer means you highlight all of your achievements, not just the ones you remember when finding a new job.
What makes a great work portfolio
There are several things to consider when creating a standout work portfolio.
It showcases your best, most up-to-date work. Carefully curate your portfolio to include pieces representing your skills and strengths in the best possible light. Update it to show that you understand industry trends and demands.
It is clean and clear to read - A clean, visually appealing layout can help draw attention to your work and make it easier for potential clients or employers to navigate.
Telling your story - Whether you're a graphic designer, writer, or photographer, your portfolio should tell the story of your skills, experiences, and unique perspective.
It is tailored to the job you want - Every employer you apply to will look for something that shows you are a good fit for them. Tailoring your portfolio to that employer and the job will help you stand out.
Digital and physical copies - Sometimes, you must submit a digital or physical portfolio before an interview. Having both on hand is helpful. Having a physical copy with you during an interview is also beneficial, as it will help you answer questions and talk further about projects you have worked on.
Now it's your turn to start your portfolio - Good luck!