TIPS TO MAKE YOUR PORTFOLIO LOOK PROFESSIONAL

03 May 2022

A portfolio is an essential file in addition to a CV and a job application letter that must be included when submitting a job application. It can be a collection of your work examples and other career-related documents. Usually, it contains your resume, skills, or awards to showcase your qualifications and provide work samples you can submit when applying for a job. So for those of you who are applying for jobs, portfolios are very useful in supporting your career and making recruiters assured and interested in you.

In today’s era, job competition is getting tougher and more challenging. It is because the position applied for is very competitive due to hundreds or even thousands of applicants. Then, some job vacancies were never published. Also, companies are too picky and have unrealistic expectations.

Therefore, a portfolio can help us get the position we are applying for. So, making our portfolio look professional is essential. Here are tips to make your portfolio look professional.

  • Keep it simple.

Don’t let gratuitous graphics reduce the quality of your work. An elegant, simple, and consistent layout will showcase your best work. Let your work speak for itself.

  • Keep it relevant.

Portfolios are not just about showcasing your best work but showcasing something relevant to the position you are applying for. Making it relevant will make a lasting impression.

  • Use your portfolio to tell stories.

Always use a portfolio as an opportunity to highlight a specific skill, for example, your ability to solve problems, create meaningful interactions, and your knowledge of the design process, such as defining the problem, collecting information, brainstorming, and developing solutions. Being organized in such a way will make it more than just a collection of projects. This will tell how technical you are, how your design sensibilities are, and how you develop ideas that will make you a good candidate for the position.

  • Use high-resolution images.

Low-resolution photos with poor lighting will make your hard work in vain if they are not presented properly. With the possibility of taking high-quality photos even with just your phone, there’s no longer any reason to use low-resolution photos.

  • Solicit Opinions.

Sometimes we need honest opinions, but often friends and family don’t tell the truth. Therefore, soliciting opinions from mentors, former colleagues, and trusted clients is essential to provide good insight into how your portfolio works for them. Getting another perspective about your portfolio is the best way to get an insight for how your portfolio is perceived by others.

Those are some tips to make your portfolio look professional. Always be confident and good luck in applying for jobs!

 

 

References:

Adieb, M. (2021, March 30). Manfaat Portofolio: Kenali 6 Manfaat yang Dapat Menunjang Kariermu. Glints Blog. Retrieved April 8, 2022, from https://glints.com/id/lowongan/manfaat-portofolio/#.YlA6qshByMo

Brownless, A. (2017, March 10). 12 Tips For Making Your Portfolio Stand Out – ARTS THREAD. ArtsThread. Retrieved April 8, 2022, from https://www.artsthread.com/12-tips-making-portfolio-stand/

Indeed Editorial Team. (2022, October 15). 3 Reasons Why Finding a Job Is So Hard and How to Improve Your Chances. Indeed Career Guide. Retrieved April 8, 2022, from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/why-finding-a-job-is-so-hard

Stewart, J. (2018, July 19). 5 Tips for Creating the Perfect Creative Portfolio. My Modern Met. Retrieved April 8, 2022, from https://mymodernmet.com/how-to-make-a-portfolio/

DiscoverDesign. (n.d.). DiscoverDesign Handbook. Retrieved April 12, 2022, from https://discoverdesign.org/handbook

Muhammad Arif Nur Sidik