The Role of Digital Portfolios in Skills-Based Hiring — and How to Create One

For decades, job seekers have used traditional methods to secure interviews, but advances in technology have changed employer expectations and candidate vetting. Companies now look more closely at hands-on experience in the form of demonstrable projects and accomplishments. Digital portfolios let you showcase your skills and explain how you’ve applied them in your career. 

Why Do Digital Portfolios Shine in the Current Job Market?

Employers today evaluate abilities as much as experience. While you can describe a previous job on paper, the scope of your work and responsibilities in that role may have varied widely. You might also have hobbies and volunteer work that don’t easily fit into the traditional resume format.

In January 2025, the Department of Labor released an economic update stating that the number of job openings remains around 7.7 million, with almost equal new hires and job separation during the same period. Finding a job is more competitive than it was a year ago, but there are still opportunities for employers and employees.

Since many companies now hire via online recruiting and interviewing, portfolios complete the picture of who a candidate is and what they’re capable of. The digital presence you create will become a linchpin of the hiring process and narrowing the candidate pool. 

Where Can You Build a Digital Portfolio?

Now that you know how crucial an online file of your best work is, where can you create one to share with potential employers? You need a format that’s easy to update and simple for company recruiting teams to access. The style and layout can vary widely, depending on the job you hope to get.

Authory

Authory is a good source for writers to share some of their top work. The free plan allows you to share around 10 articles. You can categorize them and create a customized theme for your page. They also offer paid subscriptions with a few more customizations and the ability to store old articles so you don’t lose them as sites shut down or change URLs.

Behance

Behance is a digital portfolio where artists and designers show off their skills. However, it also serves as a social media platform and digital networking opportunity. You can use your Behance projects to create a website via Adobe Portfolio. The site gives you access to a global audience, resulting in an expanded job search option. 

Social Media

Around 80% of job candidates find a new position through people they know. Building a portfolio on social media channels such as LinkedIn or Facebook puts it in front of connections and can help you find a job opening as others refer you to their companies or people they know. 

Try to keep your formatting consistent. For example, if you want to share videos you’ve shot or edited, upload them to YouTube. If you are a writer, convert your finished articles into PDFs and share the files on a page you create specifically for your portfolio. LinkedIn has a Featured section where you can drop projects for others to see. 

Create a Website

Another option is to create your own website hosted on shared servers. Depending on the option you choose, the annual costs are typically low, and you can fully customize your site to put your best work front and center. Several platforms make it easy to build a portfolio website, including WordPress, Squarespace, Wix and Weebly.

If choosing a platform for creating your own site, look for something that has:

• Plugin options available: A portfolio plugin can give your site a professional edge and allow you to seamlessly organize your projects so companies can see your abilities.

• Customizable templates: Various templates allow you to showcase your work in a visually appealing way with low effort.

• Easy updating: A user-friendly interface lets you add and remove projects quickly.

• Mobile responsiveness: Ensure your site looks good on all devices, as many recruiters will view it on their phones or tablets.

Google Drive

Most people already have a Google account. Did you know your free Google Drive storage is an excellent place to share your work? Create separate folders for different projects and set them to share with anyone who has a link. Then, copy and paste the link into messages you send your possible future employers. Adding and removing work samples to each folder is as simple as a couple of mouse clicks. 

What Should You Put in Your Digital Portfolio?

Job seekers can spotlight their best work through the power of portfolios. While a resume only offers a two-dimensional description of what you can do, a portfolio provides valuable proof of your work ethic and skills. 

Creating a successful portfolio is about more than uploading a few files to your chosen platform. Ideally, you’ll also show off your organizational skills by prioritizing the content recruiters most want to see. Study examples of excellent portfolios to gather ideas. Here are some things to add to your digital profile.

• About page: Feature a bit of information about you as a person and worker. What is your background? Keep it short and sweet.

• Examples of success: Describe — with data where possible — how you solved problems for your client or previous employer, plus images of the project. Include only your best examples, and make sure to describe the impact of your work in concrete terms. 

• Contact information: How can potential employers get in touch with you? 

• Update frequently: Add new, fresh content to show you’re still working and growing in the industry. 

Be vigilant for potential scams targeting unwilling job seekers. One common scheme involves sending people what appears to be an excellent job offer. The person who contacts you may offer to reimburse you for new equipment by sending you a check and asking you to return the amount you don’t use. Meanwhile, the fake check will bounce if you try to cash it, leaving you stuck with a big loss. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

Digital Portfolios Are Essential to Skills-Based Hiring

Companies everywhere rely on digital portfolios to assess potential employee skills and knowledge. It’s worth your time and effort to craft a portfolio that puts your abilities in the best light. Even in-office promotions within your current company may require a digital portfolio for consideration. A well-crafted one can mean the difference between having would-be employers overlook your talents and landing a position that’s an excellent fit for your skills. 

Written by Content Contributor: 

Eleanor Hecks is a business writer and researcher with a passion for bringing awareness to neurodiversity inclusion in the workplace. You can find her work as Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine or as a staff writer at sites such as HR.com and Clutch.co.