Portfolio Readiness Checklist

What it is for

A checklist for reviewing a portfolio before you show it to clients or recruiters. It helps designers, developers, writers and other creatives check content, presentation and distribution, so a broken link or a weak project does not undermine the first impression.

How it works

The twelve items fall into three sections. Content: only strong work, short case studies, quantified results and a range of skills. Presentation: clean design, mobile-friendly, fast loading and simple navigation. Distribution: a clean address, links from your LinkedIn and resume, and a shareable link ready to send. You tick each item and progress is saved on this device. Nothing is scored; it is a review aid.

Worked example

A designer reviews her portfolio: she removes three old projects and keeps the best five, rewrites two as short case studies with a result, tests the site on a phone and checks it loads fast. Finally she swaps the address for her own domain and adds the link to LinkedIn and her resume.

Limits and caveats

The checklist gathers general good practice; it does not judge the quality of your work or guarantee hires. What impresses varies by field and by who is looking. Adjust the items to your audience and portfolio format.

Frequently asked questions

How many projects should a portfolio show?

The checklist says to show only your strongest work without fixing a number. A few well-presented projects usually weigh more than many average ones. Choose those that best represent the work you want to do.

What is a case study in a portfolio?

It is a short write-up of a project covering the problem, what you did and the result. The checklist recommends this format for key projects because it shows your thinking, not just the final product.

Why must a portfolio work on mobile?

Many people open links on their phones, recruiters included. If a page does not fit the screen or loads slowly, the impression suffers. That is why the checklist covers mobile, speed and simple navigation.