Is Your Portfolio Secretly Working Against You?

After months of hard work, a new UX designer finally completed their portfolio. As a recent bootcamp graduate, they took the process seriously, attending one-on-one mentoring sessions, joining peer review groups, and soaking up every bit of advice they could from more experienced designers. They even revisited resources like the post "Is Your Case Study A Barrier Or A Breakthrough?" to make sure their case studies went deeper than surface-level deliverables. 

By the time they hit publish, they felt confident. Their case studies were solid. They had taken feedback, refined their work, and produced something they thought would set them apart. Excited, they shared their portfolio on LinkedIn and with their network. The comments poured in—friends and colleagues praised the work and congratulated them on the milestone.

But when they started applying for jobs, the responses weren’t the same. Despite the hard work and thoughtful case studies, interviews just weren’t coming. Frustrated and determined to figure out why, the designer reached out to a colleague who had graduated a bit earlier and already landed a role. That colleague pointed out a critical detail: while the projects themselves were strong, the portfolio lacked a clear theme. There was no indication of what type of industry or design direction this new designer wanted to pursue.

This feedback was an eye-opener. Instead of tearing apart their case studies, the designer stepped back and reflected: Why did I choose these particular projects? What connects them? What do they say about where I want to go as a designer?

That reflection revealed a common thread tying their work together—one that aligned with their actual career goals. With this new clarity, they updated their portfolio introduction and added a statement that clearly expressed the type of industry and challenges they were most passionate about.

It didn’t happen overnight, but gradually the results shifted. Recruiters started responding. Interviews began to come in. And for the first time, the designer saw a clear path toward the roles they wanted—not just any job, but the right ones.

This Scenario Happens All Too Often

New designers put a huge amount of effort into individual projects, but often forget to consider how their entire portfolio is perceived. Your portfolio isn't just a collection of past work; it's a stepping stone toward the career you want.

A clear, cohesive narrative helps recruiters and hiring managers quickly understand your direction, making it easier for them to picture where you might fit in. Without that narrative, even strong projects can feel random or disconnected.

Why a Cohesive Narrative Matters

Imagine a designer who specializes in healthcare. If all their projects focus on healthcare, that's great when the industry is thriving—but what happens if opportunities in that space slow down?

To avoid being pigeonholed, it helps to branch out. That doesn't mean abandoning your interest; it means connecting it to related areas. For example, healthcare can connect to education (e-learning platforms for medical students) or health tech (apps that help people manage prescriptions). This shows versatility while keeping you aligned with your core passion.

A Practical Tool: The Mind Map

One way to clarify your portfolio's direction is by creating a simple mind map:

1. Place your main interest in the center (i.e., healthcare).

2. Branch out to related fields (i.e., health tech, education, wellness).

3. Explore possible project types within each branch.

This exercise helps you see the bigger picture of your potential portfolio and identify if your current projects are too narrow. If you notice areas with few connections, that's a signal to broaden your focus.

Keep Your Portfolio Updated

Remember: your portfolio is a living document. The moment it goes live, it starts aging. Each case study reflects the research and effort you put in at that time, which means it can go stale if you don't revisit it.

Continuously refining your portfolio keeps your narrative fresh and ensures your work stays relevant and appealing to potential employers. Think of it not as a finished project but as an evolving reflection of where you are headed as a designer.

Take the Next Step

Whether you've just finished your bootcamp or created your portfolio months (or even years) ago and haven't revisited it, it's worth taking a fresh look. Ask yourself:

Does my portfolio have a clear common theme?

Can someone quickly tell what industry or types of problems I'm passionate about?

Do my projects feel connected, or do they read like random assignments?

If you're not sure, try the mind mapping exercise. 

Remember, your portfolio is more than a gallery of projects—it's a signal of where you want to go as a designer. Make sure it's pointing in the right direction.

If you’d like a personalized review to ensure your portfolio is truly working for you, I’d love to help! Book a one-on-one consultation with me 


Helping UX Designers bridge gaps and grow

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