Want A Standout Portfolio? Take Notes from This One

I don’t usually share my clients’ work, but this portfolio was just too good to keep to myself! I checked in with Jennifer first, and she was kind enough to let me feature it here. So, huge thanks to Jennifer for being willing to share her incredible work—because honestly, this is what an online portfolio should look like.

As a career coach, I see a lot of portfolios. Some are beautiful but don’t align with the roles the candidate is applying for. Others are tough to navigate or don’t make it easy for a hiring manager to see the designer’s strengths. But every now and then, I come across a portfolio that just gets it right. And Jennifer’s site, thelangsam.com, is exactly that.

Let’s break down why this portfolio works so well—especially for designers aiming for senior roles—and what you can learn from it.

1. So Easy to Navigate

Ever clicked on a portfolio and immediately felt lost? Yeah, me too. That’s not what happens here. Jennifer's portfolio has a super clean, easy-to-navigate layout that makes it effortless to find relevant work samples.

If a hiring manager needs to see branding work? Boom—it’s right there. Want to check out digital design? No hunting required. This kind of intuitive structure makes life easier for hiring teams and shows off Jennifer’s UX/UI sensibilities—an essential skill for design leadership.

2. It Matches the Level of the Roles She’s Pursuing

A portfolio should reflect the kind of jobs you want. If you’re aiming for leadership positions, your online presence needs to feel polished and professional—like a hiring manager could picture you leading a team. And Jennifer’s portfolio? Nails it.

Everything about the site—from the typography to the layout—feels intentional and high-level. It tells a hiring manager, “This is a seasoned professional who understands branding, strategy, and execution.” It’s not just about pretty visuals; it’s about communicating expertise and leadership.

3. It Highlights Skills and Strategy

Hiring managers don’t just want to see cool designs—they want to understand how you think. This portfolio makes it super easy to see Jennifer’s range of skills while also showing the why behind each project.

She’s got branding, digital media, print design—it’s all there. But more importantly, each project has just enough context to show the thought process and strategy behind it. That’s what separates a good portfolio from a great one. It’s not just “Here’s my work.” It’s “Here’s how I solve design problems and create impact.”

4. The Details Make It Feel Thoughtful and Professional

It’s the little things that make a portfolio stand out. High-quality images, concise but informative descriptions, and a cohesive overall look—Jennifer’s portfolio checks all those boxes.

Plus, everything feels intentional. The contact page is easy to find, the case studies don’t feel overwhelming, and the entire experience is smooth. These small details make a big difference because they show that she not only understands design but also how to create a seamless user experience (which, let’s be real, is exactly what a hiring manager wants to see).

5. It’s Designed with Hiring Managers in Mind

Time is everything in the hiring process. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t have hours to dig through portfolios, so they need to be able to quickly assess a candidate’s fit. This portfolio makes that so easy.

The structure allows for a quick scan or a deep dive—whatever the hiring team prefers. And because it tells a clear story of expertise and leadership, it helps hiring managers immediately see Jennifer as a strong candidate. When your portfolio does the heavy lifting for you, you’re already a step ahead.

6. A Place to Keep Track of Projects for the Future 

What’s great about Jennifer’s portfolio is that it’s not just a spot to show off her work for hiring managers—it’s also a place for her to keep track of everything she’s done. This is a smart way to have all her projects in one spot, making it easy to reflect on them and update her portfolio down the road. It’s like a personal log that keeps her organized and ready for whatever comes next!

Key Takeaways: How to Make Your Portfolio Work for You

Feeling inspired? Here’s what you can take away from thelangsam.com when refining your own portfolio:

• Make it easy to navigate. If a hiring manager has to dig for key info, they’ll probably move on.

• Align it with the roles you want. If you’re going for senior positions, your portfolio should feel polished and strategic.

• Showcase your skills with context. Help hiring managers see not just what you did, but why it matters.

• Get the details right. High-quality images, thoughtful descriptions, and a cohesive design make a big difference.

• Think like a hiring manager. What do they need to see to say, “We have to talk to this person”?

  
  

Jennifer’s portfolio is a fantastic example of how to get it right. If you’re serious about advancing your design career, taking inspiration from well-structured, hiring manager-friendly portfolios like this one is a smart move.

Not sure if your portfolio is hitting the mark? Let’s chat! I’d love to help you refine your online presence so it truly works for you.

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