Making a Great Portfolio – Chloe Harlig

As a Senior Creative Recruiter at Squarespace, the most frequently asked question I get is, “What do you look for in a portfolio?” Our Creative team is unique and there’s not a one-size-fits-all formula for hiring the best creative talent. Creatives at Squarespace come from many different realms: music, art, film, fashion, in addition to our tech competitors, advertising agencies, and boutique design shops. That being said, there are key themes that apply to every discipline within Creative at Squarespace.

We want to see your creative process and thinking. While it’s different for each team and each discipline, help us understand how you got to the solution. It might seem “sexier” to only showcase the shiny final deliverable, but we need to see your journey.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s better to have fewer pieces of work in your portfolio that you’re proud of than a ton of outdated projects. Each piece should tell a narrative around your skillset, experience, and background. Be thoughtful about what you’re showcasing and what you can file in the archives. Ask yourself, “Is there diversity in the work that I’m showing?”

Your portfolio is the perfect place for you to showcase your side hustles and let your personality shine through. Easter eggs that give a glimpse into who you are. Inject your personality into a case study. We are always interested in meeting people who can contribute more than just their professional skills to the team. At the end of the day, we hire the human, not just a design skill.

Getting started on a portfolio? Squarespace is offering 50% off your first full year of Squarespace.