Recruiters don't read portfolios. They scan them.

If your work doesn't communicate clearly within seconds, it disappears into the pile. A strong portfolio isn't a comprehensive archive—it's a curated argument for why you're the right choice.

Open With Who You Are

Start with a brief introduction that explains your approach to work. Keep it conversational, not biographical.

Avoid formality. Aim for authenticity that feels professional without sounding rehearsed.

Structure Your Value Clearly

Give a snapshot of what you bring:

Core Skills
Highlight the qualities that define your work—collaboration, problem-solving, adaptability.

Key Achievements
Support skills with results. Show how your work helped clients reach goals or solve challenges.

If you've been working for years, keep this section brief. Focus on highlights, not exhaustive lists.

Show 4–5 Projects, No More

Choose a refined selection that demonstrates range and depth. Dedicate two pages per project:

Introduction: 1–2 sentences to set context.

Challenge: Summarise the problem the team faced.

Your Role: Detail your responsibilities, the steps you took and how you contributed to success. This is the core.

Team Structure: Clarify whether it was agency, in-house or freelance. Explain your position.

Deliverables Tags: Add labels like visual identity, UX design, user research, prototype development.

Keep explanations sharp. Let visuals carry weight, but provide enough detail to ground the work.

Summarise Your Strengths

Dedicate one page to "Core Competencies." Identify 3–5 areas where you excel. Pair each with evidence:

Crafting User Experiences – Demonstrated by designing solutions that improved usability and engagement.

This section clarifies your value for both you and the reader.

Close With an Invitation

End with a contact page that feels approachable. Include email, LinkedIn, portfolio website and phone number.

Add a simple note encouraging conversation.

The Narrative Principle

Your portfolio is a story, not a catalogue. Every section serves a purpose:

Context matters: Frame the "why" without lengthy descriptions.

Impact over features: Show what your work achieved, not just what it looked like.

Visual balance: Clean layouts, clear typography and purposeful white space guide the viewer.

The Selection Test

A strong portfolio isn't about showing everything. It's about selecting, simplifying and framing your work to reflect not just where you've been, but where you're capable of going.

If a project doesn't strengthen that argument, leave it out.