Why you just need an MVP of your portfolio?
I got my dream job with just my MVP portfolio. It works.
“I will reach out again for this brilliant job opportunity once my portfolio is ready.” — Famous words I have said a lot of times, and heard more often.
As designers, making or updating our portfolios is one of the most time-consuming, and dreadful tasks. We also tend to make it harder for ourselves by setting really expectations on how it should look and have cute transitions, and show our wholesome personality.
I am guilty of doing the same. I am guilty of not having an updated portfolio online. I am guilty of not having enough motivation/consistency to work on it.
Not having a portfolio online does not mean I am not doing some amazing work I am really proud of as my job. And that definitely should not mean I lose out on some amazing job opportunities. I was in the same pickle of wanting to make the best portfolio out there, but also to apply for this job I really wanted.
So I decided to build my portfolio like how we build digital products as our day jobs. Let’s just get an MVP out of the door.
What is an MVP portfolio?
A portfolio that is enough to showcase your work, and get you a job if needed.
Things that are needed: 2–3 case studies, a well written about me, contact details, and resume
Things that are wonderful to have: Side projects, books you are reading, your talks as a speaker, blogs, some nice delight factor, some recommendations, picture of your dog
Why an MVP portfolio?
🌟 Don’t miss out on job opportunities.
Just don’t. I applied to both my last jobs with a portfolio I knew had tons of scope for improvement. They got me the first interview.
A portfolio is a solid requirement to land that first interview. After that, you bring your whole personality and presentation decks to the following interviews. I made sure my presentation decks for interviews were my best effort.
💪 Get that momentum.
The key here is to get the momentum and keep rolling. Sure you can build that shiny awwards.com worthy portfolio website in a month or three, and you might actually do it faster.
Or you could just focus on getting an MVP portfolio out and keep building on that. Once you have a not-so-satisfactory website out there, you are likely to go around fixing it on a higher priority.
🤝 Have opportunities walk up to you.
Don’t be super hard on yourself. You might feel the effort you have put in is mediocre, but as a creator, you might not be the best judge of it. Some folks might find value in the work you put out there, some recruiters might recognize your potential. So it’s definitely better than having nothing.
🚧 Disclaimers
I am not encouraging you to put out outdated/messy work as your portfolio. I am just saying cut out the fluff and focus on what’s important.
Also, my MVP portfolio needs work too. As a designer, I believe we should have thoughtful, curated portfolios. I am getting there, just like you are.
