You're self-employed and need to ensure you're setting yourself up for success. What's the first step?

1 What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is a collection of work samples, testimonials, case studies, or other evidence that demonstrates your skills and experience in your field. It can be a website, a document, a video, or a combination of formats. A portfolio is not just a resume or a CV. It goes beyond listing your education, qualifications, and job history. It shows how you have applied your knowledge, solved problems, created value, and delivered results for your clients or employers.

2 Why do you need a portfolio?

A portfolio is an invaluable tool for self-employed professionals, as it can help them attract and impress potential clients or employers, stand out from the competition, communicate their strengths, skills, and goals clearly and confidently, demonstrate their credibility, professionalism, and passion for their work, and reflect on their achievements while learning from feedback and identifying areas for improvement.

3 How to create a portfolio?

Creating a portfolio can appear intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. To get started, define your purpose and audience. Ask yourself what you want to achieve with your portfolio and who you want to reach. Then, choose projects that are relevant, recent, and showcase your skills and experience. Include a variety of types, formats, and contexts - quality over quantity! When presenting your work, arrange it in a logical and attractive way, with headings, categories, labels, and captions for guidance. Additionally, provide context for each project - objectives, challenges, solutions, outcomes - and highlight your role and contributions. Incorporate positive feedback from clients or employers too; it will add credibility and trust to your portfolio. Finally, review and update your portfolio regularly - accuracy, clarity, consistency, completeness - proofread and edit content. Test links and functionality. Ask for feedback. Keep it fresh!

4 How to use your portfolio?

Having a portfolio is essential for any self-employed professional, as it can be used to market yourself, apply for jobs, and prepare for interviews. You can share your portfolio on your website, social media, blog, email signature, business card, or flyer. Include your portfolio link or attachment in your cover letter, resume, or proposal. Review your portfolio before an interview and use it as a reference during the conversation. With a portfolio, you can showcase your skills, impress your audience, and land the job or project you desire. Don't wait any longer - start creating your portfolio today and experience the difference it can make for your career.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?