Clearly, the way we looked for jobs at the turn of the century is not the way we look for them now. Once upon a time, job seekers would show up for an in-person interview with a briefcase or portfolio full of resume copies, letters of recommendation, and samples of work. That begs the question: Do you need a portfolio for your job-search toolbox in the 2020s? Or has that practice become obsolete.
Let’s determine if a portfolio is needed and, if so, by whom; plus, if you do choose to include a portfolio, what does it look like in today’s career marketplace?
Who Should Consider Using a Portfolio?
At some point, nearly every job seeker had some kind of portfolio as part of their job-search toolbox. Then it morphed to a point where only creatives needed one, mostly as a way to showcase their work. This included graphic designers, photographers, writers, and advertising professionals. Today, the fields that can benefit from including a portfolio still include creatives, but they have expanded to encompass those in marketing, communication, project management, and even IT. You may want to consider creating a portfolio if you fall into one of the following categories:
Graphic designers and photographers should load examples of their best work into their portfolios. Make it a business practice to get permission from clients to allow you to include your work for them into your portfolio.
Marketing and media/advertising professionals can showcase their creativity and ROI-driven work by including campaigns, awards, and strategic plans that drove measurable results. These could also include specific ads, whether in print, large format, or digital.
Communication specialists and writers need look no further than writing samples. Of course, if you have media releases or communication plans, those are excellent additions as well. Obviously, a plain Word document is not nearly as exciting as how your writing looked when published, if applicable.
Project managers and product managers can highlight roadmaps and strategic plans as well as the end results of their efforts, whether they are completed buildings or designer shoes.
IT professionals who have developed software, created solutions, or led technical projects would do well to include case studies, screenshots, or flowcharts in your portfolio.
What, Specifically, Goes in a Portfolio?
Given the suggested materials I just shared, you might think that a portfolio is merely a collection of documents. While that may certainly be the bulk of your offerings, consider that a great portfolio is a carefully curated selection of your best work. Some of the items you may choose to share include:
Samples of Work
No matter in what industry you specialize, you likely have some great samples of what you’ve done. Images, documents, links, or actual products can all be part of your portfolio and job-search toolbox.
Case Studies
People love a good story. Did you help a client get a win? Did you overcome obstacles? More than just the accomplishments you’ve included on your resume, case studies go into detail about the problem, solution, and outcome.
Letters of Recommendation and/or Testimonials
You can say how great you are all day long, but when other people toot your horn, it always seems to have a bigger impact. Even if you don’t have “official” letters or testimonials, collect the snippets you do have to add to your portfolio.
Media Appearances and Presentations
If you are a presenter or have made appearances on TV, radio, or podcasts, these are excellent ways to showcase your abilities. You can include links to your clips or, even better, if you have them all compiled on your YouTube page, you only need one link.
Certificates, Licenses, and Awards
While you may list these achievements and commendations on your resume, you can include the actual (or copies of) certifications, licenses, and awards in your portfolio. If you received an actual physical award, perhaps a picture of that rather than carrying the award around with you is a better choice.
How to Leverage Your Portfolio as a Job-Search Tool
Knowing when and how to share your portfolio will definitely maximize its impact. You can leverage it at any point, but as a job seeker, there are some key times when it’s ideal to pull out. These include:
During the Application Process
Some job applications will ask for a portfolio upfront. This is often true for those creative positions where employers want to see examples of work prior to an initial interview. Even if you’re not specifically asked to supply a portfolio on the application, you’ll often have the opportunity to share additional links, documents, or information, so you could include those there. These may just be the differentiator you need in a crowded job market.
At an In-Person Interview
Be sure to take an old-school portfolio in your briefcase or a digital version on a drive or tablet with you to your in-person interview. Then, when you’re asked about your experience and accomplishments, you can pull out some hard examples. Talk about impressive!
In a Remote Interview
Many times, you never have an in-person interview, but don’t think you can’t show off your portfolio! This job-search tool is easily sharable virtually. Have all your components pulled up on your computer before your scheduled meeting. And if you have everything compiled somewhere online, share that link prior to your interview so the team has an opportunity to review all your work ahead of time.
Create an Online Portfolio
While you certainly can go with paper and have a portfolio that you pull out or separate documents to share on a video call, another option is to create an online portfolio to include in your job-search toolbox. From simple to robust, there are several options:
Whether you collect your links and samples via Adobe InDesign or Canva, you can create a one sheet (or more!) of links and samples, turning it into a PDF. This is ideal for designers who know their way around graphic presentations, but Canva has really leveled the playing field, making it easier for anyone to have a sleek PDF portfolio.
PowerPoint Slide Deck
I’ve seen more and more go-getter job seekers creating presentations to share during online interviews. Typically, this is an expanded version of a resume with more robust case studies and accomplishments, as well as testimonials. This is a great way to highlight your value if you don’t have links to something, especially during a virtual interview.
Your Personal Website
Have you purchased your name as a domain? If you are a website designer or graphic designer, a website is the ideal tool for creating an online portfolio. Even if your design skills are lacking, many sites offer simple and easy-to-use builders that nearly anyone can use. Check out Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress. Divi is one builder that incorporates AI, nearly building the site for you.
Let’s not discount LinkedIn. This professional networking site enables you to transform your profile into a powerful portfolio. You can showcase your work in each position and bring several projects to the forefront in your featured section. Plus, it’s already built in to add awards, certifications, licenses, and publications. If you don’t want to go through the work of creating a website, LinkedIn gives you all the tools you need to build an amazing portfolio.
Is It Time to Add a Portfolio to Your Job-Search Toolbox?
You may have thought that only creatives could benefit from a portfolio, but the truth is that nearly any professional—from nearly any industry—can find value in compiling a portfolio. This is a fantastic way to highlight your unique skills, talents, and experience in a way that’s just not possible on a resume. By incorporating a portfolio into your application process, you’ll not only showcase your past work but also demonstrate the value you can bring to a future employer. Whether you’re sharing it in person, online, or during a remote interview, a well-curated portfolio could be the tool that helps you land your next role.
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