My Atmos Site Director Portfolio

Photo: Justine Anweiler, Atmos Site Director Portfolio, 2024.

The 3 elements of a job specific portfolio PDF.

In a mentoring session yesterday with Ryoko Sadoshima, I landed on three key elements that every strong portfolio has to demonstrate suitability for a specific role:

1. The company and role. It should say, “I see you – your mission, your values, and your job specs.”
2. Your personal journey that has led you to this moment in time.
3. Your previous work that is relevant to the job.

With many of the portfolios I review as a mentor, candidates predominantly focus on the 3rd element. However, if 95% of applicants are technically competent, what makes you stand out?

Short answer: (*drumroll please🥁* )The time you’ve taken to cover elements 1 & 2.

To exemplify this, I’ve attached a portfolio PDF I recently created for Atmos Magazine when applying for their Site Director role.

Here are a few things I did to prioritize elements 1 & 2:

❀ Used the magazine’s brand fonts (or similar to), design grid, and layout style.

❀ Designed it landscape rather than portrait because the role is specific to websites.

❀ Curated photos that matched their brand style and unique aesthetic—abstract, artistic, ceremonial, and inspired by nature.

❀ Selected work that resonated with the publication's themes of art and culture, environmental justice, creative storytelling, social change, and kinship with nature.

❀ Told my story as a creative being en route to this very role with pacing, flow, and continuity.

❀ Wove in my personal love of ceremony and nature.

❀ (MOST OBVIOUS) Made a bespoke portfolio so I could really showcase my relevance and excitement for the opportunity.

To say I'm a fan of a curated portfolio is an understatement – because I am its Biggest fan! Yet, I wouldn't suggest doing this for every job. A simple template you can chop-n'-change for each application works great!

HOWEVER –––> if it feels like a dream job . . . go all in! 🚀

P.S. To download the full portfolio click on my FREEBIES page.

Article FAQs generated by Chat GPT:
1. How can someone determine if a job opportunity is a “dream job” that warrants a bespoke portfolio versus a simpler template?
To determine if a job opportunity is a “dream job” that warrants a bespoke portfolio, evaluate how well the role aligns with your long-term career goals, personal values, and passions. Consider whether the company's mission and values resonate deeply with your own, whether the role offers significant opportunities for growth and learning, and if you genuinely feel enthusiastic about the work and the company. Additionally, assess if the company culture aligns with your vision of a productive and fulfilling work environment. If you find that you strongly connect with these aspects, it might be worth creating a bespoke portfolio to reflect your genuine interest and commitment. For roles that are important but not as closely aligned with your passions, a well-tailored template might be sufficient.

2. What are some examples of effective ways to showcase elements 1 and 2 (company alignment and personal journey) without creating a completely new portfolio for each application?
Design a versatile portfolio with customizable sections. This allows you to update or swap out parts of your portfolio to better match each application. Including a strong introductory personal statement that is tailored to each job can also effectively communicate how your personal journey aligns with the company’s mission and the role’s requirements. Additionally, use a core portfolio template that highlights your best work, but include project descriptions or case studies that can be adapted to show how they relate to the specific job you are applying for.

3. Can you provide more specific advice on how to effectively incorporate a company’s brand fonts, design grid, and layout style into a portfolio without risking the design becoming too generic?
Use the company’s brand elements sparingly and thoughtfully, integrating them in ways that complement your design rather than overshadow it. For instance, you might use brand colors or fonts in headers or accents, but not throughout the entire document. Ensure that the brand elements you use maintain overall visual harmony with your portfolio while keeping your unique aesthetic. Blending the company’s design elements with your personal style can help maintain a distinctive look. Make sure that any branded elements serve a relevant purpose and enhance your portfolio’s narrative, rather than simply decorating it.