May 16, 2022

How to make a professional (Work) portfolio for a job?


You have some fantastic skills. You have some excellent professional works that you have done previously.
 
That's great!
 
Present that work portfolio to your potential employer or hiring manager. 
 
No doubt, they will be happy.
 
A strong portfolio will make it easy for hiring managers to see how you can contribute to their team.
 
But, a problem. 
 
You don't know how to make a professional (work/career) portfolio for a job. 
 
Even you don't know too much about what is a portfolio of work? What does it actually mean?
 
The great news is I have covered all those things in this single article (with job portfolio examples).
 
Could you please read it out? 
 
Thank you.
 
Look at the following table of contents that you will read now.
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENT
 


What is a portfolio of work?

 
A collection of your best work is called a work portfolio. It can be digital or physical, but it should showcase your skills and experience in the best way possible. 
 
Some people choose to create a physical portfolio that can be handed out or mailed to prospective employers. 
 
Others choose to create an online portfolio that can be accessed from any computer.
 
As an ambitious person, you need to have a work portfolio that proves you’re qualified for the job. 
 
Another word for the portfolio is career portfolio or job portfolio.
 
 

How to make a portfolio for a job?

 
There are a variety of ways to build a professional portfolio. 
 
If you’re in college, start by compiling your coursework, projects, papers, and presentations. As you gain experience in your field, add your best work products: case studies, reports, articles, designs, research, etc.
 
You need to have a professional portfolio that showcases your skills and experience when applying for jobs.
 
Here are the steps and tips on how to make a professional work portfolio for a job:

 

 

1. Format

Choose a portfolio format that best suits your needs. There are many different types of portfolios, so choose one that will showcase your strengths and skills in the best light.
 
You can build an online portfolio, a PDF portfolio, or a physical portfolio. Choose the format that will work best for the type of job you're applying for.
 
An online portfolio is a way to go if you're seeking for a job that needs you to publish your work online. You can create a website or use a portfolio platform like Behance or Carbonmade.
 

2. Resume

Start with a strong resume. Your portfolio should include a copy of your resume so that potential employers can get an overview of your qualifications.
 

3. Sample work

Include samples of your work. You can include reports, surveys, evaluations, specific materials you have designed for a college course or previous employer, artwork, spreadsheet, and more as samples of work. Choose a few of your best pieces of work to showcase in your portfolio.
 

4. Visual photograph

Help the employer to see you in work activities. Include a photo that represents you are working on a project. A visual photograph can tell more than words to the employer. Have you done any internships in a company recently? Great, include those photographs while you are working as an intern. Why? To show your employer what you are doing at present.
 

5. Correspondence

Have you received any correspondence in the past? If yes, definitely include that as a part of your portfolio. For example, a document describing your hard work and professionalism from your previous employer or teacher will positively impact any employer. Must include that in your portfolio.
 

6. Certificate

Include that certificate image on your portfolio if you did any online course and earned any online certificate related to the job.
 

7. Easy navigation

Your portfolio has to be organized so that potential employers can easily navigate that and find the information they are looking for.
 

8. Visually appealing

There are a few things you can follow.
 
First, make sure your portfolio is well-organized. Potential employers should be able to find the information they're looking for easily.
 
Second, use high-quality images. This will give your portfolio a professional look and feel.
 
Third, use typography to your advantage. Choose an easy-to-read font and use headings and subheadings to break up your content.
 
Fourth, for physical copies of your work portfolio –
 
  • Use a binder, folder, or portfolio case (it's up to you)
  • Use section separators, tabs, and color-coding options to make finding information easy.
Why are these things important?
 
Answer: It helps to make the pages easy to flip through. 
 
 
Finally, don't be afraid to get creative. Employers will be impressed by a portfolio that stands out from the rest.
 
Creating a visually appealing portfolio is especially important for candidates in the arts or design fields. It should be 
 
  • Well-organized 
  • and intended to reflect your aesthetic, personality, and work style.
 
This way, you can ensure that your work portfolio will make a great impression.
 
 

9. Update

Keep your portfolio up to date. Make sure to update your portfolio regularly with your latest work and accomplishments.
 
Creating a professional job portfolio is a great way to show off your skills and experience to the potential employer.
 

10. Customize your career portfolio

 
It is essential to customize the master copy of your work portfolio when applying for a specific job or interview.
 
Update your resume skill section according to the specific job description.
 
Add a solution section. What is that?
 
You can add 30/60/90 plans to your portfolio. What will you do in the first 30/60/90 days from your position can outline that.
 

 
 
How can you do the plan?
You can research the company and develop ideas you could implement to help the organization.
 
It demonstrates that you are an exceptional candidate and can stand out from the crowd.
 

Examples of work portfolio

 
You need to take logo design services for your organization. In that case, what will you do?
 
Either you will ask for this service from your friends or relatives for reference, or you will search on Google and type "best logo design service" in the Google search bar to see who is providing this type of service. 
 
Let's take into account the majority approach. I mean searching for information on Google. 
 
You will get logo design service providers on Google's result page, and you will click on those results to get some ideas about their work, service charges, what you can expect from them, their previous work samples, their client reviews, and many more things.
 
From this example, you know at least one reason why a work portfolio is essential, and your online presence is also important.

 


I think this example of work portfolio has made things clear to you. What do you say?
 
 

Elements to Include on Your Portfolio Website

 
What exactly should you include on your portfolio website? Here are a few essential elements:
 
1. A clear and concise bio or about page. This is your chance to tell potential clients who you are and what you do. Make sure to add your contact information so that they can quickly get in touch with you.
 
2. Samples of your work. This is the crucial part of your portfolio website. Make sure to showcase your best work and include various project types.
 
3. Client testimonials. If you have any positive feedback from past clients, include it on your portfolio website. This will help build trust with potential clients.
 
4. Case studies. It is optional, but it's a great way to demonstrate the full achievement of any past project. No doubt, each project has its own story. Present that from beginning to end (final result).
 
Please don't forget to include the following things:
  • What was the purpose of that project? I mean, why did you start that?
  • What final result did you want to achieve from the project?
  • How did you achieve it? What steps you have taken.
  • What was the project duration?
  • Was it teamwork? If yes, what was your role in that team?
  • What was the final outcome? Include a link, picture, etc., of that final outcome.
 
5. A blog. A blog is a great way to show potential clients that you are an expert in your field. Be sure to write informative and engaging posts that showcase your skills and knowledge.
 

 
 

Final word

 
Always preserve copies of your work. Constantly update your portfolio so that some of your work samples are recent and demonstrate your progress over time.
 
You should do this even after you've got the job because you may find yourself in the job market again in the future.
 
Make sure that your portfolio is well-organized and easy to navigate. You should include various work, from writing samples to design projects. And finally, be sure to customize your portfolio for each job you apply for.  In such a way you can create a portfolio that will help you land the job you want.
 
I hope this article made you clear on how to build a professional work portfolio (career portfolio) for a job. 
 
So, keep your fantastic professional work and university work from today to make an excellent portfolio.
 
Good luck. 
<< Back to blog

Read next 📖

Questions for the second interview (with sample answer)

January 09, 2023

You've aced the first interview and have been called back for a second interview.  Congrats!  The second interview is usually with the hiring manag...

7 Signs That Your Job Interview Went Well (What To Do Next)

January 06, 2023

I thought my job interview went bad. But I got the job offer.   After one interview, I thought my interview went well.    But bad luck.   I did not...

How to be a good boss?

December 28, 2022

Are you a boss? Or are you aspiring to be one? If you are, then you’ve probably wondered how to be a good boss.    After all, being a good boss is ...

Types of Performance Appraisal Methods (Choose the Right One)

December 26, 2022

ssessing your employees' work performance is very important—no doubt about this.   You should know how your employees are doing, right? Do they nee...

How to impress your boss?

December 09, 2022

Everyone wants to stand out at work and get ahead. For this, you need to start impressing your boss.   But you need to learn the way as you don't k...