Creating an Online Portfolio

I constantly get recruiter reachouts from big tech companies and top AI startups- even when I’m not actively job hunting or listed as “Open to Work.” That’s because over the years, I’ve consciously put in the effort to build a clear and consistent presence on LinkedIn- one that reflects what I do, what I care about, and the kind of work I want to be known for. And the best part? It’s something anyone can do- with the right strategy and a bit of consistency. If you’re tired of applying to dozens of jobs with no reply, here are 5 powerful LinkedIn upgrades that will make recruiters come to you: 1. Quietly activate “Open to Work” Even if you’re not searching, turning this on boosts your visibility in recruiter filters. → Turn it on under your profile → “Open to” → “Finding a new job” → Choose “Recruiters only” visibility → Specify target titles and locations clearly (e.g., “Machine Learning Engineer – Computer Vision, Remote”) Why it works: Recruiters rely on this filter to find passive yet qualified candidates. 2. Treat your headline like SEO + your elevator pitch Your headline is key real estate- use it to clearly communicate role, expertise, and value. Weak example: “Software Developer at XYZ Company” → Generic and not searchable. Strong example: “ML Engineer | Computer Vision for Autonomous Systems | PyTorch, TensorRT Specialist” → Role: ML Engineer → Niche: computer vision in autonomous systems → Tools: PyTorch, TensorRT This structure reflects best practices from experts who recommend combining role, specialization, technical skills, and context to stand out. 3. Upgrade your visuals to build trust → Use a crisp headshot: natural light, simple background, friendly expression → Add a banner that reinforces your brand: you working, speaking, or a tagline with tools/logos Why it works: Clean visuals increase profile views and instantly project credibility. 4. Rewrite your “About” section as a human story Skip the bullet list, tell a narrative in three parts: → Intro: “I’m an ML engineer specializing in computer vision models for autonomous systems.” → Expertise: “I build end‑to‑end pipelines using PyTorch and TensorRT, optimizing real‑time inference for edge deployment.” → Motivation: “I’m passionate about enabling safer autonomy through efficient vision AI, let’s connect if you’re building in that space.” Why it works: Authentic storytelling creates memorability and emotional resonance . 5. Be the advocate for your work Make your profile act like a portfolio, not just a resume. → Under each role, add 2–4 bullet points with measurable outcomes and tools (e.g., “Reduced inference latency by 35% using INT8 quantization in TensorRT”) → In the Featured section, highlight demos, whitepapers, GitHub repos, or tech talks Give yourself five intentional profile upgrades this week. Then sit back and watch recruiters start reaching you, even in today’s competitive market.

We all know we're supposed to "show instead of tell." But most design portfolios fail to do this and here's why. 👇 Designers love showcasing their raw work in their portfolios including outputs or deliverables such as: → Sketches → Diagrams → User flows → Wireframes → Sticky notes → Journey maps But to be honest, 90% of the time, I have absolutely no idea what is going on in those images. For example, I'll often come across a screenshot or picture of 25+ sticky notes, but: → They are too zoomed out. → If I zoom in, they're too blurry. → Even if I can seem them, they're too overwhelming. Then I start asking myself questions such as: → Am I supposed to read every sticky note? → What's important about these sticky notes? → Is this worth my time and attention to decipher? This is where storytelling comes in. What if instead of showing a raw zoomed out screenshot of sticky notes, we instead pulled out the key highlights and takeaways? Then we can guide the reader's attention to what's actually important, and optionally include a link to the original raw image afterwards. This creates a far more compelling narrative for our audience (hiring managers and recruiters), and ensures we're showing the right level of detail that is necessary to understand the story. Now to be clear, I'm not saying you should entirely avoid raw images or assets (or even raw Figma files). For example, these can be effective during the interview process because the designer can use their voice to guide their audience through the image. But when it's an online written case study submitted with an application, then you won't be in the room when a hiring manager first sees it. In that moment, your story will need to stand on it's own. It will need to communicate the right level of clarity and detail to compel the hiring manager to offer you an interview. In summary, when we want to "show instead of tell", that doesn't mean slapping a raw screenshot or image in our portfolio. It means reflecting on how we're using our words and images to give context, clarity, and tell an impactful story. Use it effectively to your advantage. What are your thoughts? #ux #design #portfolio #casestudy #storytelling

Tired of employers not seeing your value? The "Portfolio Strategy" will fix that (in 7 simple steps): [Context] Companies hire people for one reason: They believe they'll bring the most value to the role. Resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn are traditional ways to illustrating that value. But they're not the best. If you're struggling to see results with them? You need a portfolio. 1. Choose Your Platform First, choose the place where you'll host your content. I recommend a place that: - Allows you to create the way you want - Maximizes your visibility If you're job searching, it's tough to beat LinkedIn. Medium is another solid option. 2. Identify Your Target Companies Next, brainstorm your list of target companies. You're going to be researching them and creating value that's directly tied to their goals, challenges, and vision. I recommend starting with 3-5. Bonus points if they're in the same industry. 3. Align Your Projects Start with one company. Research the heck out of it from a high level. Then dive deeper into researching the specific product and team you're targeting. Your goal is to identify: - Goals -Challenges - Initiatives Learn as much as you can about them. 3a. Align Your Projects (Examples) Marketer? Perform site audits and recommend 3 ways for companies to get more leads. Software Engineer? QA your favorite apps / tools to identify bugs or improvements. Graphic Designer? Refresh the branding for your favorite products. 4. Map Out The Process Start with your methodology: Why this company / product? Break down your research, brainstorming, and solution process. Find and include reputable data. Project outcomes / ROI if you can. Finally, make a compelling case. Don’t just summarize, sell! 5. Show Your Work Now turn that process into content! Write up a "case study" showing: - The problem / opportunity - How you identified it - Your solution(s) - How you came up with them - The process for implementing them When it's ready, hit publish! 6. Share Your Work Now your case study is out in the world! First, add it to your LinkedIn featured section. Next, break it down into bite sized pieces of content. Start writing posts around: - Your research process - Your solutions process - Insights you came across - Etc 7. Systematize It This works best when you consistently work at it. Create a daily schedule and commit to it. Before you know it, you’ll have a body of work that includes *real* results and clearly illustrates your value. That’s going to get you hired!

Looking for a job? Build a portfolio. Not just a résumé. If I were job hunting in 2025, here’s what I’d do. Build ONE great portfolio project in the next 30 days. Something that shows - not tells - your skill, thought process, and creativity. I say this as someone who's also hired half a dozen people in the past 2 years. There's too much noise out there. You've got to find a way to stand out. Here are 3 roles and 3 portfolio projects you can build in the next 30 days to stand out: 👩🏽💻 1. Product Manager Build: A new feature for an app you love → Pick a product (Spotify, Notion, Duolingo) → Design a new feature: user problem → solution → wireframes → Write a PRD (problem, KPIs, edge cases, success metrics) One of the most creative ways I've seen a friend get an interview was this: He mocked up a "Spotify Social Listening" feature - then sent it to Spotify PMs. This got him an immediate response and interview. Tool stack: Notion, Figma, Canva, ChatGPT, Whimsical 📱 2. UX/UI Designer Build: A 2-week redesign challenge → Pick a real-world flow that sucks (e.g. booking train tickets on IRCTC lol or the entire Goodreads web app) → Interview a few users (just ask around within your friends) → Redesign the flow with better UX → Share your case study on Behance or your website Write a post on the entire process you followed. Tool stack: Figma, Maze, Framer, Medium 📊 3. Data Analyst Build: A dashboard + case study → Choose a public dataset (NYC taxi data, Netflix ratings, upcoming Indian startups) → Clean + analyze it using SQL/Python → Build a dashboard in Tableau or Power BI → Publish your insights + charts as a case study Once again, write a post on the entire process you followed. Tool stack: SQL, Python, Tableau, Canva, Medium ... It's easy to get stuck in the rut of applying to jobs every day. Try something a tiny bit different... and you can easily stand out from the noise. Best of luck! 🌿 Found this useful? Repost it to help someone who’s job hunting. 🟢 Want a free guide to acing your first PM interview? Comment below “portfolio” below and I’ll send it over. :)

🔥 During design interviews, presenting your case study can feel like a make-or-break moment. However, many designers can benefit from strengthening one essential skill: clearly communicating the impact of their work. In my latest video, I worked with Joshua McKenzie, a Senior Product Designer, to critique his case study presentation and help him elevate it to interview-ready status. The goal? Craft a compelling story that showcases his skills, approach, and outcomes 🏆. In this critique, we cover: - How to structure your case study for clarity and engagement. - The importance of pairing visuals with a strong narrative. - Why you need two versions of your case study: one to send, one to present. - How to effectively integrate data and metrics into your story. - Common presentation pitfalls (and how to avoid them). 👀 Watch the full critique and take your portfolio to the next level: https://lnkd.in/gcjxD7VJ Some key takeaways: - Structure matters: Start with a clear business problem and user challenge, then walk through your process step by step, ending with measurable outcomes. - Visuals over words: Avoid text-heavy slides—let your work speak for itself while you guide the story. - Tailor for the audience: Use a concise, visual version of your case study for live presentations and a more detailed, written version if sending out. - Leverage data: Metrics and insights show your impact and differentiate your thinking and work from others. - Practice storytelling: Your ability to communicate your work is just as important as the work itself. ✨ If you're preparing for design interviews or looking to refine your case study game, this video is packed with actionable advice to help you stand out! 💥

Your portfolio might be missing these underrated elements. Most people focus on polished case studies and pretty visuals. But what actually makes a recruiter pause and think “I want to talk to this person” are the things you don’t usually see. Here are 4 to start adding. 1️⃣ Show your decision trade-offs Don’t just show the final design. Show the fork in the road. What options did you consider, and why did you choose the one you did? Side-by-side screenshots + a short explanation = proof of your critical thinking. 2️⃣ Highlight collaboration moments Portfolios often read like solo projects, but hiring managers want to see you as a teammate. Call out where a PM, dev, or researcher’s input shifted the outcome. Add a quick “before & after” to show the impact of collaboration. 3️⃣ Call out constraints Great design isn’t created in a vacuum. Were you working under a tight deadline? Legacy tech? Limited resources? Own it. Explain how you adapted your solution within the real-world boundaries. That’s what makes your work practical and credible. 4️⃣ Add a “What I’d do differently” section Reflection shows growth. Wrap up each case study with 2–3 quick bullets: what worked, what you’d approach differently, and what you learned. It signals self-awareness without undermining your work. These details don’t just show your work, they show how you work. Now, let’s turn this into a community resource 👇 If you’ve got a portfolio you’re proud of (or one in progress!), drop it in the comments so we can start building a list for visibility and inspiration!

A client of mine went from no experience to a $𝟭𝟭𝟬𝗞 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲. That’s nearly $𝟰𝟬𝗞 above the local average for entry-level DAs. Here’s how we did it: 𝟭) 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼 > 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • Built a clean, impact-driven portfolio focused on business value, not just tools. • Projects weren’t generic Kaggle sets. These were real-world problems with outcomes. • Partnered with a company for a freelancing project to boost credibility. • Bootcamp experience helped, but we made sure to show outcomes, not just list them.    𝟮) 𝗨𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 • Python: Object-oriented programming, DSA, and production-ready code. • SQL: Built projects using both local and hosted databases, practiced advanced queries regularly. • Treated technical prep like reps in the gym daily and focused.    𝟯) 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 • Mock interviews multiple times per week: case studies, business impact questions, stakeholder storytelling. • Practiced salary questions and value statements until they could answer them 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺. • No winging it, we made interviews a system.    𝟰) 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 • Reached out to recruiters and hiring managers, especially alumni, people from the same country, or folks working at dream companies. • ~1 hour a day spent on building actual relationships, not just cold applications. • Clear value-driven messages with strong positioning. Results: ✅ $110K Data Analyst Role (no prior job experience in data) ✅ Projects, not credentials, did the heavy lifting ✅ Strategy > Spray-and-pray This is not average. It’s what happens when you stop guessing and start working the right system. Every job search looks different. But this is proof that you don’t need a ton of experience You just need the 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. Let’s fix your job search problem together. .............................................. ➕ Follow Jaret André for daily job search strategies that actually get results.

The shortcut to massive visibility with recruiters on LinkedIn (+ 2X more interview invites) isn't: 1. Applying to hundreds of jobs 2. Treating LinkedIn like a job board 3. Making your profile a resume placeholder It's strategic LinkedIn engagement. I've been helping job seekers get job offers via LinkedIn for 15+ years. These are the 3 unexpected ways daily LinkedIn engagement has transformed my clients' job searches: 1. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 Strategic engagement on LinkedIn allows you to: - Get noticed by recruiters without applying - Show your subject matter expertise - Build relationships with decision makers & industry thought leaders - Increase profile views by 4X - Land interviews through conversations, not applications There is no better tool to showcase your expertise to hiring managers. 2. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 Everyone talks about EasyApply no one talks about company connections. Yet, LinkedIn members with company connections are 4X more likely to get the job offer. 70% of LinkedIn members report they found their last job through a connection. And, we know in 2024 that 48% of all new hires were employee referrals. The data points to the wildly effective strategy of making connections/building relationships with people inside your target company. LinkedIn makes this very easy to do. Go to the company's LinkedIn page. See who you know, who you're already connected to, or who is a possible warm connection you can make. 3. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 I understand being hesitant to post on LinkedIn. Many of my clients were terrified of sharing content. But when you share valuable insights, you practice: - Your thought leadership - Your industry expertise - Your professional voice The more you share, the more visibility you get. Members who share content get 4X more profile views than those who only scroll. People hire those they know, like, and trust. When you post you build credibility and trust. Your connections, decision makers, hiring managers, recruiters - they all get to know you better. That's it! Want to learn the exact profile changes that generated an 8500% increase in profile views and interviews within 24 hours? Check the comments for a link to a free video I created with my top 5 hacks for getting more profile views and interview invitations. What's your biggest struggle when it comes to strategic engagement?

LinkedIn is where the professional world shows up. From founders and CMOs to recruiters and decision makers, everyone is here. If you’re active and polished, people will notice. You’ll create visibility, open doors and even build a business on the side if that’s your goal. Here’s how to make LinkedIn work for you: 1: Fix your profile Start with a clear, professional photo. Add a banner that reflects what you do. Use a headline that tells people how you help, not just your job title. Write an About section that’s concise and easy to read. Use the Featured section to highlight your best work. Make sure your experience is current, well written and focused on results. 2: Post consistently Aim for at least two quality posts each week. Even if you’re swamped. This is how you build a runway for future opportunities. Share insights, ideas and lessons from your work. Let people see how you think. That’s what builds trust and connection. 3: Be social Comment. Message. Reconnect. Follow up. Engage with people who matter to your growth. This platform isn’t just about content, it’s about conversations. Your network is one of the most valuable things you have. If you keep showing up and doing these three things, you won’t just be prepared for the next opportunity. You’ll be the one creating it. Let me know what you think of these tips! #linkedin #linkedintips

For years, people have obsessed over crafting the perfect resume—tweaking bullet points, adjusting margins, and tailoring every word for ATS systems. But the truth is that your LinkedIn profile matters more than your resume. Hiring managers and recruiters check LinkedIn before they check your application. In many cases, opportunities come directly from LinkedIn before you even need to submit a resume. But why is LinkedIn more powerful than your resume? 1. It Works 24/7 + Unlike a resume that sits in a folder, your LinkedIn profile is constantly being searched, viewed, and ranked by recruiters and hiring managers. + A well-optimized profile brings opportunities directly to you instead of forcing you to apply blindly. 2. It shows more than just a job history + A resume is static. LinkedIn allows you to showcase your expertise, personality, and thought process through posts, engagement, and content. Hiring managers aren’t just looking for skills—they’re looking for people who contribute to their industry. 3. Referrals and networking happen here + Most hiring happens through referrals, not cold applications. LinkedIn is where industry professionals connect, share insights, and recommend people for roles before they ever get posted online. 4. Recruiters actively search for candidates + When companies need to fill a role, they search for candidates. If your profile isn’t optimized, you’re invisible to recruiters who could be looking for someone just like you. 5. How to make your LinkedIn work for you + Optimize Your Headline – Your job title isn’t enough. Make it clear what value you bring. + Write a Strong ‘About’ Section – Tell your story, highlight your expertise, and make it engaging. + Showcase Projects and Results – Add real-world work, case studies, or measurable achievements. + Engage With Your Industry – Comment on posts, share insights, and contribute. Visibility leads to opportunities. + Make It Easy for Recruiters to Find You – Use relevant keywords in your profile that align with job descriptions in your field. Resumes get submitted. LinkedIn profiles get discovered. If you’re relying only on a resume, you’re missing out on countless opportunities that never even make it to job boards. When was the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile?