7 Ways To Develop A Portfolio That Gets You Hired

Show, don’t tell is what people tell writers and screenwriters, but this is practically applicable to aspirants who want to land their dream jobs as well. Apart from your university degree and professional certifications, what adds compelling weightage to your candidacy is a solid portfolio. 

A portfolio is like your business card and regardless of whether you are a fresher or someone experienced, moving up the corporate ladder, a portfolio is what will ensure you a job, that higher paycheck and a commanding job role. 

If you’ve been wondering how you could develop a portfolio that stands out, I’ve compiled some crucial points you could implement. Let’s check them out now. 

Developing And Presenting A Solid Portfolio

Competencies And Tools 

Businesses and companies today look for candidates who need minimal training and those who can work on live projects almost immediately after joining. This is where your industry-relevant competencies and hands on experiences on tools come into picture. Present the list of tools you know and include a chart to showcase your level of proficiency in it. 

Certifications

Professional certifications help you stand out from the crowd. In a batch of 15 candidates lined up for an interview, the one with the most relevant certification program has more chances of getting hired than the rest. This combined with your professional work experience and work history will help you land your preferred job. So, highlight your certifications starting from your most recent ones. 

A Professional Photograph

There’s no doubt that your portfolio is your first impression but even before it does wonders for you, your photograph creates an impression of your persona in the minds of recruiters. And I always prefer professional photographs that reflect your work beliefs and authority. Well-groomed and clean outfits are highly recommended. 

Endorsements From Your Network

There’s nothing like getting endorsed by your peers and superiors for the skills and competencies you possess. Regardless of whether the endorsement is on LinkedIn or your CV, ensure you have a few valid endorsements from authoritative job roles on your skills. This will not just add value to your candidacy but speak volumes about your soft skills and traits as well. 

Present Your Passion Project

It’s not just about the work you do in an organization but also about what you do beyond. Your profile becomes intriguing when recruiters see you actively involved in a passion project. This could be directly associated with your competencies or experiences on tools that you applied to solving concerns and scenarios or something dynamically distinct from your presented skillsets. It’s always good to work on side projects and present them on your portfolio. More questions stem from this section, leading to a better understanding of your profile. 

List Your Goals And Aspirations

Give your recruiters more context and show them what you stand and aspire for. Instead of a copy-pasted section on goals, take time to think about what you really want to achieve in your career and honestly reflect on that in your portfolio. 

Recognitions And Awards

Highlight any and all relevant awards or recognitions that you have received for your work. While endorsements add value to your portfolio, awards add weightage. It’s a reflection of your hard work, efforts and commitment to a previous task. Ensure you list them. 

Final Thoughts

All the decisions you take and the efforts you put on your career are channelized towards that one life-changing moment during your interviews. If it all boils down to that one single moment, it makes complete sense to dedicate solid time to prepare an incredible portfolio. So, spend some solid time, keep these pointers in mind and land your dream job. 

Good luck!