How can you help creative industry professionals build their portfolios and advance their careers?

Understanding your goals is essential to the way you value yourself. How you define your own value is how others will perceive you. Be clear on your goal. Your goal may not be the same goal as others. Embrace that. Be clear about what it is you value and what is you are looking for. Essentially then create space and a a pathway for your goals to be realised. To quote James Clear, having goals and goal setting is not enough, you need to take action each day towards those goals. Small changes and mental shifts make a big difference.

I'd politely reach out to maybe 6 creative professionals (they won't all respond). Tell them that you are looking for someone to take a few minutes to look through your portfolio and give some short bullet point suggestions. You might even choose a single project that shows some of your early concepts. Designers prefer to see ideas to finished pieces in order to make comment. And once that has been achieved my suggestion is try and approach an agent. They are motivated (if your portfolio is good enough) to get you employed within the industry.

Reviewing previous work is essential. This is where you can clearly showcase your previous wins, achievements, and client testimonials. Social proof is critical these days. Outlining your top testimonials from previous clients, colleagues, and bosses, helps showcase and prove your expertise to others.

In addition to the visual appeal and functionality, it's essential to emphasize the importance of curating compelling content within the portfolio. Guide them in showcasing their best work, achievements, and projects with concise yet impactful descriptions. A well-curated portfolio not only captures attention but also communicates a comprehensive narrative about their skills and expertise.

I've found it beneficial to focus on less rather than more for promotion. For example, this could be the less social channel to have a more significant impact on them. I've also used what I like to call a hybrid approach. This is where I leverage social media, such as LinkedIn and in-person networking events. Lastly, it's always a good idea to invest and practice yourself. Communication and how to speak clearly and concisely about what you're promoting is much, much more important than many people think. Know how to talk to others, get along, and present your best work along with yourself.

Be mindful of the confidential nature of your project work. If you're unsure of what you are or are not able to share in your portfolio, then reach out to your leader to provide guidance to showcase your work.