What's the best way to show off your personality in your IT portfolio?

1 Choose a theme

A theme is a visual and conceptual framework that ties your portfolio together. It can be based on your personal brand, your niche, your passions, or your goals. A theme can help you create a consistent and memorable impression on your potential employers, clients, or collaborators. For example, you can use a theme that relates to your favorite hobby, genre, culture, or cause. Or you can use a theme that highlights your strengths, values, or vision. Whatever you choose, make sure it aligns with your target audience and showcases your skills and personality.

3 Show your process

Your process is the way you approach, plan, execute, and evaluate your projects. Your process can help you demonstrate your personality, skills, and values in your portfolio. It can also help you showcase your problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration abilities. To show your process effectively, you need to be transparent, organized, and reflective. Avoid showing only the final outcomes or results of your projects. Instead, show the steps, challenges, solutions, and learnings that led to them. For example, you can use diagrams, flowcharts, or screenshots to show how you designed, coded, or tested your projects. Or you can use videos, podcasts, or blogs to show how you researched, brainstormed, or presented your projects.

4 Add some flair

Flair is the extra touch that makes your portfolio stand out from the rest. It can be a design element, a feature, or a content piece that adds some personality, style, or value to your portfolio. Flair can help you create a lasting impression on your audience and make them remember you and your work. To add some flair effectively, you need to be creative, original, and strategic. Avoid adding anything that distracts, confuses, or annoys your audience. Instead, add something that enhances, complements, or supports your portfolio. For example, you can add a logo, a color scheme, or a font that reflects your identity and brand. Or you can add a portfolio app, a chatbot, or a newsletter that engages your audience and showcases your skills.

5 Get feedback

Feedback is the input and advice that you get from others about your portfolio. Feedback can help you improve your portfolio and make it more appealing and effective. It can also help you discover new perspectives, insights, or opportunities for your work. To get feedback effectively, you need to be open-minded, receptive, and proactive. Avoid asking only your friends, family, or colleagues for feedback. Instead, ask a variety of people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and opinions. For example, you can ask other IT professionals, mentors, coaches, or recruiters for feedback. Or you can use online platforms, forums, or communities to get feedback.