What to Include in a Web Dev Portfolio to Get Hired

Has it become easier or harder to secure your dream job? On one hand, there’s more access to detailed resources and in-depth courses. But on the other hand, this only makes positions more competitive. IT roles are the perfect example of this; it’s easier than ever to train in an IT position, but it’s also more competitive than ever to secure a role in the industry. Today, web development is one of the most popular routes into a career in IT. If you are currently applying for web development roles, having a killer portfolio is crucial. Here’s what to include in a web dev portfolio.

About Me

Don’t assume that employers are only interested in your skills, abilities and previous work. They’re also concerned with what you are like as a person. This includes your attitude, interests and hobbies, as this helps them to make an informed decision about whether you’ll be a good fit for their team.

Workplace culture has become a massive consideration in recent times, so employers are starting to value personality more than ever before. Don’t be afraid to go into detail in your ‘about me’ section, especially if you are applying for a job at a company that tries to promote a positive workplace culture.  

Past Projects

This is the most important part of your portfolio. Above anything, remember to prioritise quality over quantity and remember that you don’t need to include all of your previous projects. In fact, it’s better to select a few of your projects that you are most proud of and highlight these.

Be sure to include a link to a live site or demo site; screenshots won’t demonstrate your capabilities as a web developer. Have a few people test these sites to check for any obvious errors, too. Ideally, this should be a person with knowledge of development or UX who can evaluate a website’s navigation, speed, and so on.

It might be a good idea to write up a mini case study for each of your projects in your portfolio as well. Discuss your approach, the challenges and the overall outcome; this should help to give your potential employer an idea of exactly how you work.

Contact Info

Although it sounds obvious, every portfolio needs a contact section. Make sure you finish with a section that includes your email, a phone number and a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one.  

To demonstrate your skills as a web developer, you could even embed a contact form into your portfolio to show your creativity and help your portfolio stand out.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are sending your portfolio to a startup in New York or a leading web development agency in Manchester, it needs to stand out. Consider how you can include all the features mentioned throughout this article, but also think about how you can do this in a way that makes your portfolio memorable and eye-catching. This should give you the best chance of landing that dream web development job.