Essentials for a Successful Portfolio

So, you’ve been contacted to meet with a potential employer and give them an impressive portfolio presentation. Remember, this is your chance to leave a positive impression on your new boss as well as your team (if necessary)! Here are some tips to keep in mind in order to deliver a successful presentation.

Be Selective with Your Work

Less is more – choose two to three of your best projects and commit to succeed! When choosing your work, be sure to take into consideration the following details: the size of the project, whether it is up to date or out of trend, and how much the clients will value this work.

Stay Organized

Whether you have a printed portfolio or online portfolio, make sure you have organized your slides and folders – even your PSD layers! This shows that you are detail oriented and ready to win.

Tailor Your Portfolio

Curate a portfolio that is tailored to that specific employer. Only show work that the company will relate to – work that you will be commissioned to create.

Show Your Process

Showing finished work is great, but it is more than likely that your potential employer will be interested in your creative process. Share your journey! This can be accomplished by showing them behind-the-scenes footage, storyboards, mood boards, a little bit of market research, and more.

Timing

Practice ahead of time, use a stopwatch, and be mindful of where you put your focus. Introduce yourself, run through your educational background, your work experience, and then dive into your portfolio. You could even hit them with a value proposition for 30 seconds to really get them interested. Remember, practice makes perfect!

Be Confident!

The key to a successful portfolio presentation will depend on your ability to speak confidently about your work. Take credit for your hard work, and shine!