Industry-Specific Portfolio Guidance

Portfolios aren't just for designers. They're for anyone who wants a remote job. When I went fully remote 4 years ago, I hit a wall: My CV didn't show how I actually work. With in-office roles, you get F2F interviews where people hear you think & feel how you work & solve problems. But, remotely? That context gets a little lost . So I built a portfolio - not because I'm a designer (I'm not 😅), but to show my thought process and depth. So, if you're going remote (or planning to), here are 4 things I did that helped me land remote roles: 1️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 & 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 → Create a baseline with your core information → Build a static overview of your top 5 projects → Set privacy settings (view only, no edit & no share.) 💡: My intro links to my Medium content, skills, 10+ cloud solutions, and certs like PRINCE2. 2️⃣ 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 → Adjust highlights to role, company & industry → Quantify all your impact (not just "exceeded targets!") → Anonymise brands & confidential info to stay NDA-safe 💡: I use Calendly with a form, so I prep case studies tailored to each client’s needs. Always walk in ready. 3️⃣ 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 & 𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 → Pinpoint your specific value & strengths → Link past wins directly to their challenges → Talk about your work style (speed, agility, etc.) 💡: I spotlight enterprise transformation (my sweet spot!) & highlight recent GTM work they’re actively pushing. 4️⃣ 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 (& 𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂) → Outline next steps and when/how to reconnect → Offer various comms channels to contact you → Set expectations about your availability 💡: I reschedule via Calendly to maintain pipeline visibility + evolve my Notion portfolio using your initial priorities. Your portfolio isn’t about looking shiny impressive. It's about making your work visible; and the real goal is to: ✨ Show your work and deep expertise ✨ Tailor your story to each opportunity  ✨ Make it ridiculously easy to reach you Let them see what you can do, before they hire you to do it.✨

Design your portfolio for the job you want to get, not the jobs you’ve had. This is the advice I have shared the most with people who are looking for new roles across the creative industry. It’s something I come across every day; "I want to move into a more brand-focused role” - so take out the campaign activation projects, and add in brand creation. "I want to step into more 3D motion rather than just 2D” > create a reel full of 3D. Yes, there are absolutely a lot of transferable skills in every walk of design, but agencies and companies need to see the work they are potentially hiring you to do. Portfolios are your identity and your first impression, so make it count, and tailor it to the roles you want. It’s far from 'one size fits all.’ I’m not saying a variety of projects and skills is a bad idea, but if you have six projects, and only two are relevant to the role you have applied for, you're likely position yourself as second against someone who has six projects specific to the role. But what happens if you don’t have specific examples? Self-initiated projects are such a valuable thing to do; don't be afraid to push the boat out while doing them. Tailor your portfolio/reel for the job you want, not what you have done (if you want the same job, happy days!). Is this something you do, or do you try to make a simplified 'one size fits all' portfolio? I'd be happy to take a look at your portfolio/reel and offer any advice I can. #design #branding #motion #motiondesign #portfolio #digitalportfolio #reel

I reviewed hundreds of portfolio projects and had to realize something. You can't just select a project from Kaggle. Have you ever been stuck sifting through hundreds of portfolio projects, only to realize that choosing one from Kaggle just won't cut it? It's a common pitfall to opt for those highly curated, low-quality Kaggle data projects, only to receive minimal attention from recruiters. But no worries, there's a better approach. Instead of simply picking a project and diving in, let's take a step back and reassess. Document your code - it's like reading the manual, ensuring others can follow your process. Dig deeper into the data and ask yourself: Why should a company care about your findings? Present your insights in a clear, compelling way that resonates with non-technical folks. Collaborate with project buddies to not only showcase your technical skills but also your ability to work effectively in a team. When selecting projects, opt for those specific to the industry you're targeting. Don't limit yourself to just one project, showcase your versatility and dedication with multiple endeavors. And remember, visualize your findings. Bring your data to life with engaging visual representations that make an impact. A stunning, curated data project won't overshadow the value of meaningful results. Focus on projects that align with the interests and needs of your target workplace. PS: Guided projects can be beneficial with the right guidance, as long as they reflect your genuine passion for the industry. PPS: If you've taken on the Titanic project, share your experience. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Most juniors are showcasing consumer apps, but business-facing roles might be your hidden goldmine. When I ask juniors what kind of design work inspires them, I often hear names like Airbnb, Instagram, Duolingo, and Spotify—products with phenomenal design teams and sky-high standards. But here’s the reality: landing a role at these companies is incredibly tough, especially for juniors. The bar for visual design, prototyping, and craft is extremely high, and these companies rarely have junior openings. When they do, the competition is fierce, with hundreds vying for a handful of spots. This might feel disheartening, but it’s not all bad news. These roles are the exception, not the rule. If you take a look at most design roles on the market, you’ll find the majority focus on business-facing solutions, enterprise tools, internal systems, or niche products. These roles often prioritize different skills—things like solving complex workflows, collaboration with cross-functional teams, or understanding data visualization. Here’s the challenge: if your portfolio is filled with consumer-facing app redesigns, how are you showcasing your fit for these other opportunities? What you can do to better align your portfolio with the market: - Assess your skills: Identify areas where your strengths naturally align with business-oriented products. For instance, data visualization or problem-solving in complex workflows can be a huge asset in fintech or enterprise software. - Analyze other products: Explore platforms like Mobbin to study business-oriented tools. What stands out? What challenges excite you? - Diversify your portfolio: Can you reframe an existing project to address a business problem? Or start a new project that tackles a more practical, industry-focused challenge? In yesterday’s Open Doors newsletter, I highlighted Serena Li’s portfolio, which excels at showcasing business-facing design work. It’s a big reason why she landed an internship with 1Password. You’ll find links to both in the comments. Dream big, but also align with reality. Finding the right fit is about understanding your skills, the market, and where you can make the most impact. What kind of projects are you showcasing in your portfolio and are they aligned with the roles you apply to? Let me know in the comments!