In a competitive job market, the right portfolio can set you apart from other candidates by providing a visual representation of your talent, skills and ability to make an impact in a particular role and company.
So, what is the “right” portfolio? The right portfolio strategically positions you for the job you want, not the jobs you’ve had, explained Nyaradzo (Naya) Bere, a software engineer and coach for young tech professionals.
A highly effective portfolio anticipates a prospective employer’s needs and challenges and then offers a potential solution using your skills experience, positioning you as an asset.
“It’s about creating something relevant for them, not for you,” Bere added.
Here’s how to utilize a future-focused project portfolio as a lever that propels you toward a job offer.
Reverse Engineer the Job You Want
Conduct in-depth research, network with colleagues and study numerous job descriptions and open-source projects to identify an industry’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities.
Once you’ve identified a few sectors you want to pursue, create an app or project that addresses a business problem or offers an opportunity to increase revenue or enhance the customer experience in each specific industry.
Choosing projects that can deliver the biggest business impact is crucial for demonstrating your skills and your value to hiring managers, especially as a senior candidate, explained Margaret Green, technical skills development manager for Tech Elevator. Many tech pros are guilty of including random projects that don’t solve a business problem, causing their portfolio to miss its intended goal and purpose.
For example, if you are interested in working for Airbnb, come up with an app that uses AI to suggest rental properties resembling the “dream homes” or “dream house vision boards” that people share on Pinterest. To demonstrate that you are not only creative but also fast and efficient, be sure to use the most in-demand skills, AI tools, languages and frameworks when creating your solution and tie them back to your resume.
Look at the industry with the widest view possible so you can use the same project to apply for jobs throughout the travel and hospitality industry or companies that operate in the “sharing economy.”
Don’t worry about your impact statement being completely accurate, a reasonable projection will do.
“The idea is to show that this is what you’re thinking about, and this is the kind of work you’re capable of,” Bere said. It’s about taking what you’ve done in the past and applying it to the future.
Engage the Reviewer
Don’t worry about choosing the right portfolio site either. Focus your attention on telling the story behind your project and helping non-technical reviewers understand the value, results and potential of your work.
Having a well-written README file in the STAR (situation, task, action, result) framework is important, Green added. The file should explain why you created this specific solution, the problems that it addresses and any challenges you had to overcome.
It should also provide insight into the thought process and decision-making that led to the selection of a tech stack, architectural choices and so forth.
When written in the STAR format, the project descriptions can even double as interview talking points, helping you present your qualifications and accomplishments in a clear and confident manner.
Consider creating a live, interactive version of the code hosted online, allowing hiring managers to see and interact with it directly, often alongside a link to the project on a platform like GitHub.
To make your GitHub projects appeal to hiring managers and recruiters, use the Pinned Repositories feature to showcase the projects in your portfolio first. If possible, offer proof such as recommendations from former managers and colleagues.
Embed a video in your portfolio that walks the reviewer through the app or solution, the features, the set-up instructions and the next steps Bere suggested. Be sure to cross-reference the skills in your resume to provide tangible proof of your abilities.
What would you do next to enhance your app’s design or data usage for greater effectiveness? How do you see it evolving?
Showcasing the future capabilities of your application or project in your walk-through video, demonstrates your potential as a contributor and future employee.
2025-08-27 22:50:00