A cover letter is an invitation to read your resume.
You resume highlight your experience and to demonstrate your qualities as the right person for the job.
But your portfolio is the most important aspect of your job hunt.
Its sole purpose is to catch the hiring manager's attention and get you the interview or job.
With so much depending on your portfolio, one may be tempted to do many of the very things hiring personnel frown upon in a portfolio.
This list is made for every designer that wants to create a portfolio.
It's also useful for those designers who already have a portfolio but want to re-work on it.
1.
Showcase your skills It's always a good idea to put various skills and styles you work on in your portfolio.
This demonstrates your future employer that you are fluent in many styles an that he or she is getting a their money's when hiring you.
2.
10 to 12 examples Al though this may seem a pretty small number, it really isn't.
You must choose which pieces are you strongest and that display you qualities as a creative professional.
Too many pieces will bore the person viewing.
Also keep in mind that you must choose jobs that really show what you can do, not jobs that mean a lot to you.
Not because a job is your particularly favorite means it should be in your portfolio, so very critical about you work.
3.
Show actual pieces If your work is in a magazine or newspaper, find some copies and tear out (cut actually) the page.
Don't think that because you portfolio is on line that you do not have to do this.
Always keep these sheets with you just in case.
If you don't have any, for any reason, try to create a nice mock-up.
4.
Have someone review it Not your mom or friend that has no idea what you are trying to do.
Have a designer take a look at it and see if you are on the right track.
If you by chance know a person who works in a human resources office or an art director, better yet.
The key is to have people with a critical eye to review it.
5.
Keep it up to date Even though it may seem a bit tedious, you should have your portfolio as updated as possible.
You always want to show your most recent accomplishment.
I suggest that before you remove and old job to replace it with a new one, have someone look to see if the change is the best one.
I can not stress enough how important your portfolio is.
Give it the time and effort it deserves.
Your portfolio might dictate your employment, so be very detailed oriented when creating it.
Use these tips on you portfolio and good luck on you job hunting.