With 2021 in the rearview mirror, many of us have a lot of new creative we worked on over the past year. As we start with the new year, it’s the perfect time to update your portfolio to showcase that talent. Here are our 5 quick tips to help you out.

Tip #1: Work smarter. 

You’ll often be asked to explain your work when in interviews with creative directors. So pick the projects that have the smartest thinking behind them. Good creative is always backed up by sharp insights. 

Tip #2: Get collaborative. 

As they say, two brains are better than one. If you’re a copywriter with stellar ideas but zero design chops, chances are there’s an art director out there with the opposite problem. Reach out to your network to find a partner to collaborate with, oh, and remember to always give credit. 

Tip #3: Spec stands for spectacular. 

If you’re just starting out in advertising, chances are your book is filled with “spec work” i.e. unproduced work you created for a client that’s not actually yours. This type of work allows you to flex your creativity beyond typical intern or junior-level work. So don’t rush to pull it out of your book. Creative directors love and expect to see it. 

Tip #4: Work out the technical difficulties. 

It may be called a “book,” but the only thing a hiring manager is opening is their web browser. And if your website has funky formatting or broken links, they’ll probably close it. Website builders like Squarespace are great for foolproofing your site. 

Tip #5: Don’t skip the bio. 

Yep, cue the collective eye roll. We know there’s nothing harder to write about than yourself, but employers will be looking for someone they’ll enjoy working with. So show off who you are outside of advertising. 

With these in mind, we’re sure you’ll put together a great portfolio so your work can stand out from the crowd.

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By: Ad Club NEXT Education Committee