What are the best practices for creating and hosting a UX research portfolio online?

To make the decision easier, think of it as an iterative project. First, choose the tool that is the most convenient for you and can be easily shared for testing (for example even a Google Slides or Notion public link might work) and try to nail the story. After this, you can start asking for feedback from people (friends, other UXers), and once you are almost confident (to make sure you test as early) start using it in your job search. From here, you can iterate, and see if you are missing any feature and what platform would be good to use.

There is a wide variety of options to choose from, including no-code/low-code ones. Make sure to choose an option which allows you to customize, adapt and make the case studies come to life. Having an analytics embedded is a cherry on the cake.

In addition to capturing the impact and value of the research, I include a section in my portfolio where I reflect on what went well and what could be improved. To me, this is a great way of showcasing how you are continuously refining your craft as a researcher. I like to include a slide in each of my portfolio pieces that includes three sections: 1) What went well - and why 2) What could be improved - and why 3) What learnings I drew from 1+2 and how this will inform future research studies I think the "why" is especially important here: It shows that you deeply reflected on the success of your research and areas for improvement.

For most UXR portfolios, 80% is probably case studies. The rest 20% talk about your research process, interests outside of UXR and some unique points about you.

When it comes to what to include in a portfolio case study, I always advise mentees to consider the following: ?? Who are the users of your portfolio? Cater to recruiters and hiring managers. Given the volume of portfolios they review, make yours easy to navigate, quick to read/scan, and easy to ingest. ??? What is the story you're telling in this case study? Don't just walk through your project chronologically! Part of being a good UX Researcher is being a good storyteller! ?? What is the primary purpose of your portfolio? Your portfolio is more than just a job ticket; it's a way to showcase your thought process and problem solving skills. Connect dots, emphasize impact on business, strategy, and users, and share reflections/learnings.

Showcase impact - bring those bullet points in your resume to life by expanding on why, what and how. Bring alive the story of the feature/product and how research impacted it.

I would add a few best practices that have worked well for me: 1) Focus on what makes you unique Do you have specific skills that make you stand out? Do you have a unique background? How are you leveraging this in your UX Research work? 2) Focus on the value you can bring to a client / company Be as specific as possible here. You want to showcase that you understand the client's needs and how you can address them. If possible, share how you positively impacted projects for similar areas / industries. 3) Don't include "self-ratings" for skills Saying your skill-level is "medium" or giving yourself "4 of 5 stars" is not meaningful for potential employers. Instead, showcase how you leveraged certain skills to drive results in past projects.

For each case study - be it a foundational or an evaluative one, keeping the structure same is a good idea. A separate section for your learnings/what you could have done differently adds a personal touch.

This is key because some of your earlier work may not be reflective of the growth and skill improvement you’ve gained over the course of your career. It’s in your best interest to update them to reflect your best work. While it’s nice for people to see how far you’ve come comparing your old work to new work, portfolio may not be the best place to show that since many people looking at it won’t do so in your presence so they may not get that context right.