Your interview performance may secure you the job, but it’s your portfolio that initially gets you noticed. Read our top tips to make sure it commands the right attention.As a marketing designer, your career history and technical skills are essential for any potential new employer to be aware of. But the crux of your role is creative output and it’s on that evidence that hiring decisions are based. Even the most impressive designers don’t make it to the interview stage if recruiters and hiring managers can’t quickly access relevant examples of their past work.Apply nowThe portfolio you use to apply for a role should be short, sharp and to the point. It should present the skills relevant to the job in question in a snapshot, so tailor it accordingly:Keep it relevant – if you’re applying for a Flash design role, show evidence only of your Flash work.Present the examples separately to your CV – build a bespoke page online, or pull together a file to email across, taking care to compress the size without compromising on quality.Show no more than 10 examples, and provide brief context for each.Provide a link to your full portfolio online so that those interested can view your whole body of work.Interview timeIf the creativity displayed on application portfolio results in an interview, it’s time to assemble a more comprehensive portfolio to showcase the full range of your skills. Traditionally, the portfolio has appeared in hardcopy format. While this is acceptable and often useful at interview, the opportunity for the hiring manager to access an electronic version of your full portfolio will add value to your candidacy.As with your application portfolio, the same basic guidelines about relevancy and presentation apply, but take care to show off all your capabilities:Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and contains relevant examples from all of your recent roles.Include the full range of your work, for online roles for example, a good mix of pages, emails and banners will showcase your full skill set.Present your newest work at the beginning of the portfolio.Pay attention to the design and layout of the overall portfolio as it gives a good indication of your creative abilities and organisational skills.Evidence of contribution to well-known campaigns, established brands and competitor organisations will hold more weight than work completed for an unknown entity.Put your work into context – describe what the viewer is looking at, the artwork and image selection, final printing quantities etc.As impressive as your designs may be, don’t leave them to speak for themselves in an interview situation. Be sure to talk through in detail the process for each design, including the brief, process, internal interactions and the ultimate creative and commercial outcomes, with the intention of demonstrating the value your track record can add to the role you’re being considered for.Show off, onlineIf you’re lacking an electronic portfolio, it could make all the difference to your job search. Check out our suggestions for online marketing portfolio builders below.Behance ProSiteCarbonmadePortfolioboxIf web design is your strong suit, you could also consider building your own site too. If your preferred method of highlighting your work online is to email examples, make sure that the file sizes are reduced as far as possible to avoid bounce backs and other issues with recipients being able to access information.For more information on your design job search or graphic design/marketing portfolio, please get in touch with your local office.MarketingLinksAbout usSalary comparison toolTestimonialsJobs in ScotlandBrowse for jobsNews and updatesLinksOwn your digital presence: review sitesMarketing and digital: Combatting the skills gaps in a candidate-led marketHow might GDPR affect different business functions?Drive your brand image: take control of your marketing messagingHow to successfully transfer between marketing sectorsMeet Britain’s Future BoardInterview with Lyn MacDonald, Marketing & Sales Director at G1 GroupMarketing recruitment in 2015Interview with Fiona Harvey formerly Director of Corporate Communications with …PageGroup ladies event – From the boardroom to the shop floorMarket update July 2015 - marketing recruitmentInterview with top strategic marketer, Helen Warren-PiperInterview with Mark Davis, former Marketing Director at Brown-FormanDigital content jobs and demand in the NorthIs interim recruitment back?Marketing jobs in the MidlandsGreen shoots in the recruitment of executive marketing professionals?Insight and adviceLinks10 Marketing skills driving the industry forward in 2018How to properly assess your marketing candidates in an interviewAre automation and artificial intelligence changing the way companies market th…Employee satisfaction: the key to attracting top talent and retaining customersCustomers first: the growth of customer experience as a specialismThe evolving roles of marketing professionalsIs a degree better than work experience?Career development in marketing: postgraduate degreesBuilding an inclusive workforce Why hiring managers should think outside the box when recruitingBenefiting from the ‘ultra mindset’ in the workplaceThe skills you need to stay competitiveMarketing and the modern law firmTop tips for recruitment in a candidate-driven marketHow to get a great job in the not-for-profit sectorCareer advice - the curse of the employer 'buy back'CVs for temp and contract rolesCompany branding - use it to attract talentIs sector experience really essential?Freelance and contractsThe importance of digital skills for marketersThe value of CIM accreditationConsidering an interim role in marketing?Eight tips to start your social media careerInterim marketing managers tell allThe benefits of working on a contract in marketing
