In 2022, my portfolio helped me get my first DS job. Now I’m tearing it down and starting again from scratch

For those who’re a knowledge scientist or aspiring data scientist, keeping a web-based portfolio is a incredible option to showcase your skills to prospective employers.

I made my first portfolio in August 2022 on a free GitHub Pages site using a wonderful guide by Ivanna Kacevica. The portfolio helped me articulate my skills and get my first DS job, and unexpectedly gave me “quarter-hour of fame” once I wrote about it in a viral TDS story, The Portfolio That Got Me a Data Scientist Job.

Now, 1.5 years later, I’m tearing down the portfolio that got me my first Data Scientist job and rebuilding it from scratch.

In this text, I’ll explain why.

I’ll show you the way I built my recent one and share with you the template I made, which you need to use to create a Data/Analytics/AI portfolio of your personal in only 30–40 minutes.

Let me start by saying that I still like my old portfolio.

It’s easy and to-the-point, and I feel it does job of showcasing my projects without overwhelming the reader.

This brevity is essential because a recruiter might only spend 30 seconds taking a look at your portfolio (if that!), and also you don’t want them to get bored or stop before they’ve reached the tip. As I’ve said before:

The aim of your portfolio is to get your foot within the door, to not get you the job. You’re never going to get a job offer solely off the back of your portfolio. The truth is that, even when recruiters just like the look of your portfolio, you’re still going to need to undergo their interviews and assessments. The aim of the portfolio is just to supply a fast snapshot of your skills and show ’em what you possibly can do.

Back in August 2022, I used to be satisfied that my portfolio did this. Here’s a screenshot of my old portfolio so you possibly can judge for yourself: