4 things recruiters look for in your design portfolio.
By: Jiggy Villanueva
Tags: Portfolio, Design, Recruitment, Careers

I have to admit, working on my design portfolio has always been one of the most anxiety-inducing tasks I have as a design professional. As someone relatively early in their design career, I still struggle with what to put in my case studies and whether or not it’s going to matter at all.

If you’re like me, chances are you’ve already scoured the internet for the latest tips and tricks to improve your portfolio—from adding flashy 3D illustrations to using SEO strategies on your content. They’re all well and good, but by far the most useful advice I’ve gotten was to talk to potential recruiters or clients about what they’re looking for in their next hire.

It seems obvious, but I think a lot of people still tend to skip over this and go straight to the visual aspects of their portfolio.

To borrow a key principle from user-centered design, I think a great design portfolio is one made with the needs of potential recruiters or clients in mind.

Thinking about recruiters, they would typically sift through a lot of resumes and design portfolios in a day, so it would help if a portfolio’s case studies are aligned to what they are looking for.

I got the opportunity to chat with some of our hiring managers from our product, design, engineering, and marketing teams here at Kalibrr. And here are some of the things I learned from those conversations.

Hiring managers usually read through designers’ portfolios to see if:

1. They are able to articulate a problem and define the process to solve it.

The three components a solid case study has: what’s the main problem, how was it solved, and what was the outcome.

Recruiters are looking for problem-solvers, those who can really understand design problems with their nuances and find ways to solve them. So it’s important for designers to know how to walk people through their design process.

How can you show this in your portfolio?

It helps to use a clear case study structure that articulates these three things:

The main problem — What is the big hairy problem you tried to solve? What were the needs of the users, business requirements, and/or pain points involved in the project? Were there any technical constraints or business KPIs you had to keep in mind? The solution —What method/process was used to solve the problem/s? What are the key decisions made and how did you make those decisions? How did your design address the problem? The outcome —How did your project fare with your success metrics? Did it meet your stakeholders’ expectations? What could’ve been done better? What are your (recommended) next steps?

2. They have a strong sense of collaboration and ownership.

Recruiters will also look for signs of how you take a project from start to finish and how well you work with a team. This is especially true when you’re applying to companies with an established product or design teams. They would want to know how well you can execute your own process while still being able to contribute to their existing processes, systems, and culture.

How can you show this in your portfolio?

In your case studies, it would help if you have a section that describes your role or contribution to a project with clarity and purpose.

For example, if you were the designer in a team for one project, make sure to outline what are some of the things you did, how you were able to coordinate with your teammates, and how you ultimately contributed to the success of the project.

3. They have a good eye for design.

Spotify’s Design Team Blog does a good job at complementing their case studies with great visuals.

Recruiters would probably want to hire you not only to help make their product or project functionally sound but aesthetically beautiful as well. So it’s important to showcase your strength in visual design.

How can you show it in your portfolio?

There are two things to consider here: case study visuals and the medium in which your portfolio will live in.

Your visuals should complement your case study write up. It should show the strength of your work and why it’s great. Also, choose a medium or platform wherein you can show off your skills the best, and consider what would be best for your audience.

4. They have the capacity for self-awareness and growth.

Finally, recruiters are looking for someone with a growth mindset and Someone who can see how their work fits in the bigger scheme of things.

How can you show this in your portfolio?

It’s important to have a solid outcomes section in your case studies. This is where you reflect on the work you’ve done, what could’ve been done better, and what steps to be taken next.

For me, this is important because it’s the space wherein you can acknowledge that what you’ve done here isn’t perfect — no project is. Knowing where you did good is one thing, but also being vulnerable enough to show your weaknesses as a designer is a good signal for recruiters that you have a positive attitude towards learning from your mistakes.

What if I don’t have any case studies to show at all?

As long as there are problems to solve in the world, there are as many opportunities out there, even for someone starting out, to build great products and experiences. Join hackathons, take internships, help out at your local charities and advocacy groups, etc. Any project, big or small, wherein you had to identify and solve a problem can be the start of a great case study.

Portfolios are only a piece of the pie.

Even though portfolios are important, it is just one way to communicate your professional value to a potential employer or client. Investing time in cultivating relationships within your industry and consistently putting your work out there are just some of the many ways you can increase your chances of leveling up in your design journey.

Time to update those portfolios!

Check out these great articles over at Kalibrr Design to help you with your next design career move: