.jpg)
If you are learning how to code on your own, the only thing that proves your skills is your PROJECTS.
And you add another TODO or Recipe Collection App to your portfolio in hopes of catching recruiters' attention??
YOU HAVE ALREADY FAILED ❌!
Why your projects are so important?
Unless you have some international rewards or finished Top Tier US University, your CV looks like DOG SH*T 💩!
I apologise for my word selection, but I've reviewed hundreds, no, THOUSANDS of CVs.
And I believe that it's better if I say it to you, rather than the recruiter will send you a general email, that starts with the words:
"We appreciate your application, but unfortunately we decided to proceed with another candidate..."
And turning DOG SH*T (a.k.a. your CV) into a candy is hard.
🐶💩 ➡️ 🍭
But if you have great projects, you have a chance!
Here is a simple 3-step process on how to craft an awesome portfolio project.
💡 Step 1: Idea
"50 HTML PROJECTS THAT WILL LAND YOU A JOB" - Sounds promising?
It's a freaking clickbait ⛔️! If you gonna click on it you will see: "Todo App, Recipe App, Tit Tac Toe Game, etc."
And those projects are fine for studying and practice, but it's a SHAME, to add them to your CV!
DO NOT USE YouTube!
DO NOT USE Instagram!
Your project idea should sound interesting and personal.
"Stars tracking app, that uses NASA API, because I love Astronomy from my childhood"
Sounds way better than:
"TODO App, because I love to do things"
If you are struggling with ideas, use the following ChatGPT Promt:
"I love [LIST OF YOUR INTERESTS & HOBBIES]. Suggest unique app ideas for my CV."
And you will get a lot of great project ideas, that you can slightly adjust and start coding!
📄 Step 2: Preparation
At this stage, you need to make sure that:
- You are using the best possible tech stack for that project
- It will look good, logical, easy to understand and use
So, firstly do a lot of research about all possible technologies, libraries, frameworks and APIs you will need to implement that idea.
If you are not sure about something, ask your mentor or post a Reddit thread.
Secondly, create designs for your project.
And you don't have to be a designer for that! 😁
Use free Figma design templates or AI design tools like Midjourney and Framer AI.
📦 Step 3: Packaging a.k.a. Project Description Framework
You can create infinitely interesting and cool projects.
But if you don't package it properly, nobody will even look at it 🥲.
So here is an example of a project description, that I took from MY OWN CV and that helped me to land a lot of great interviews:
Let's break it down into the project description framework:
- Specify project name (if it's not a well-known company, prefer usage of general words, like "Job Board", not "Indeed").
- Add Links:
- Website - link with the working version of that project;
- GitHub - actual code;
- Demo - 1-2 minute video where you do a quick tour across the app;
- Write 3 Bullet Points in the project description that answer the following questions:
- What this project is about? What are its core functionalities? What Tech Stack it uses?
- What have you implemented within this project?
- What difficulties have you solved? What was the most challenging thing? What are proud of in this project?
Conclusion
Follow these 3 simple steps and your portfolio will actually look attractive.
And just with that, you will be able to increase response rates from companies.
If you are an experienced developer, use Step 3 to re-package your experience and apply for new jobs.
You will be shocked by the results!
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)