What I Look for in a Portfolio Review

Insights from a Product & Design Hiring Manager

As a hiring manager, I’ve sat through hundreds of portfolio reviews, each as unique as the designer presenting it. A UX portfolio review is more than just a showcase of work; it’s an opportunity for me to understand who you are as a designer, the value you bring to your team, and how you might fit within our organization. Here’s what I’m looking for during a portfolio review and tips to help you stand out.

Who Are You?

The first thing I want to know is who you are—not just as a designer, but as a person. Your portfolio and presentation should give me a sense of your motivations, values, and what drives your passion for design.

• What motivates and drives you?
  Tell me about the "why" behind your work. What excites you about design? What fuels your creativity and keeps you motivated?

• What do you like to do?
  Share your interests and passions, both inside and outside of design. A great portfolio showcases your personality. Use your About section or introduction to create a personal brand that’s memorable and authentic.

• Why design?
  Help me understand your connection to design. Why did you choose this career? What about design inspires you and keeps you engaged?

Your portfolio is your opportunity to present a narrative that’s uniquely yours. For example, use visual elements like color palettes, symbols, or typography to create a distinct personal brand. Even more importantly, align your values with those of the company you’re interviewing with—this shows thoughtfulness and intention.

What Role Did You Play?

Understanding your contributions to a project is critical. I’m not just looking at the final deliverables; I want to know what role you played in the process and how your involvement added value.

• What value did you add to your team?
  Clearly articulate your contributions. Even if you worked on a team, explain your individual responsibilities and how you collaborated with others.

• What contributions did you make?
  Be specific. Did you lead a workshop, design a critical feature, or solve a particularly tricky problem? Use concrete examples to highlight your impact.

• How is the project, team, or process different because of you?
  Show me how your presence made a difference. Did you streamline a process, introduce a new tool, or bring a unique perspective? Demonstrate how you left your mark on the project.

Include visuals like before-and-after images to illustrate your impact, and don’t shy away from discussing challenges. Sharing how you navigated obstacles shows resilience and a willingness to grow.

How Will You Work With Us?

This is the most important part of the portfolio review. I want to know not just what you’ve done, but how you’ll integrate into our team and contribute to our success.

• What value will you bring to the team?
  Help me envision your role within the team. What unique skills and perspectives will you add?

• How do you contribute to a team setting?
  Describe how you work with others, handle feedback, and navigate team dynamics. Collaboration is at the heart of UX, so show me you’re a team player.

• How are you likely to act within a three-pronged team?
  UX often requires working closely with product managers and engineers. Explain how you approach cross-functional collaboration and how you lead by design in these settings.

• How do you lead by design?
  Leadership doesn’t require a title. Show me how you’ve taken initiative, driven projects forward, or inspired others through your work. Explain how you bring strategy and vision to the table.

Asking thoughtful questions during your review is another way to show how you’ll work with us. Ask about our design culture, team dynamics, or the types of projects you’d be working on. This demonstrates curiosity and genuine interest.