As a freelancer, having a portfolio of your previous work and projects that show others you have the skills and experience they are looking for is essential. However, there are certain elements which should be excluded from a portfolio, in order to ensure that it gives a good impression and provides prospective employers or clients with the right information.
In this article, we will outline some of the key elements which should not be included in a portfolio, and why.
1. Inaccurate or Outdated Information
The purpose of a portfolio is to demonstrate your current level of skill and experience. However, if the information included is outdated or inaccurate, then it will not accurately reflect your ability. Make sure to keep the information in your portfolio up to date, and delete any projects or examples which are no longer relevant.
Additionally, it is important to avoid using information from other people’s work as your own. This could lead to legal issues, as well as damaging your reputation, so it is best to always provide your own information and content.
2. Lack of Professionalism
Your portfolio is an opportunity to present a professional image of yourself to potential employers or clients. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all content is professional, and free of any spelling or grammatical mistakes. Also, avoid including any offensive or inappropriate images or language in your portfolio, as this may put people off.
It is best to keep your portfolio as polite and professional as possible.
3. Irrelevant Content
When creating a portfolio, it is important to focus on content which is relevant to the type of work you are applying for, or the sector in which you are looking to work. Including irrelevant content will distract from what you are trying to demonstrate, as well as wasting time and space in your portfolio. Make sure to only include content which illustrates the skills and experience you need for the role you are looking for.
This will help to keep your portfolio concise and relevant.
4. Negativity
Your portfolio should focus on the positive aspects of your work and experience, and should not feature criticism or thoughts which are negative in nature. Although it is important to provide constructive criticism of your own work, it is best to avoid any criticism of other people’s work. Additionally, avoid using the portfolio to complain or make complaints against people or companies.
5. Unnecessary Visuals
Although visuals are an important part of any portfolio, it is important to avoid using too many. Not only will this take up too much of the space in your portfolio, but it is also likely to distract from the content and make it harder for people to take in. Instead, focus on visuals which accurately and clearly represent the projects and skills which you are displaying.
A few select visuals are usually enough to illustrate the points your are making in your portfolio.
6. Unprofessional Formats
When it comes to presenting your portfolio, it is essential to choose a professional format, such as a PDF, or a website. Using an unprofessional or outdated format can give the impression that you are not up to date with new technologies, or presentation techniques. It is best to use a format which is accepted and recognised in the industry, and that you feel comfortable using.
7. Personal Opinion
Your portfolio should be focused on the facts, and providing information which is useful to the viewer. It is therefore not a good idea to provide personal opinions on topics or projects, as this is likely to be seen as unprofessional. Additionally, personal opinions can come across as biased, and can make it difficult for the reader to form their own opinion of your work.
8. Unwanted Information
When creating your portfolio, it is important to remember the purpose behind it. This is to provide potential employers or clients with the information they need to decide if you are suitable for the role.
For this reason, it is important to avoid including information which is unnecessary, or which does not provide any real insight into the kind of work you can do.
9. Physically Attached Work
When presenting your portfolio, it is important to remember that many people will likely view it online. Therefore, it is not a good idea to include physical examples of work, such as books, photographs or sculptures.
Instead, focus on providing digital examples of your work, such as video, screenshots or digital designs. This will help to keep your portfolio as easy to access for potential employers as possible.
10. Unfinished Projects
Including unfinished projects in your portfolio can give the impression that you are not able to finish the projects you start, or that you are not able to work to a high standard. To avoid this, make sure to only include completed projects which have been signed off by a client.
This will demonstrate that you are able to follow a project through to the end, and that others have had approval of your work.
11. Unattributed Work
When showcasing projects or examples of your work, always include attribution, such as a link back to the original source material or the original creator. This will help to provide recognition to the project, as well as demonstrating your respect for the work of others. It is also important to include the client or company name for any work you have done for them, as this will provide them with recognition.
12. Unrefined Projects
It is important to remember that your portfolio is a reflection of your own work, and should demonstrate your ability to work to a high standard. Therefore, any projects which are not of a suitable quality should not be included. Present only projects which you are proud of, and that reflect the kind of work you can produce for clients or employers.
13. Too Much Detail
Whilst it is important to include all the relevant information in your portfolio, it is equally important to not provide too much detail. Too much detail can make it difficult to read, and will likely distract or bore the reader.
As such, it best to focus on explaining the key facts and outcomes of each project, rather than including too much information.
Conclusion
A portfolio is an important asset when looking for jobs or clients, and therefore it is important to ensure that it presents the right impression. In this article, we have outlined some of the key elements which should be avoided when creating a portfolio. By following the advice provided, you can ensure that your portfolio is of a high quality that accurately reflects your skills and experience.