Creative Portfolios: A Must-Have for Every Aspiring Marketer

Resumes are of the past, creative portfolios are the marketers futures.

Let's be honest: the job market is big, and being students, we need to learn how to stand out. Creative portfolios are the way that we can showcase all of our marketing knowledge. As a marketing student myself, here are some tips and tricks inspired by Indeed.

Tip #1 - Professional Headshot

Your creative portfolio is essentially your digital handshake and elevator pitch in one. It showcases who you are, having a professional headshot makes it personal and allows clients to know more about you.

Depending on your style and the type of marketing position you're targeting, you can choose a polished corporate photo or something that shows off your creative flair.

If you do not have a professional headshot, the DSUMA is having our Best Face Forward event on October 24th, come get your free professional headshots!

Tip #2 - Short Biography

Your bio or "About Me" is a short introduction to who you are. It's like your own executive summary, this helps employers understand your journey. This is the "tell me about yourself" part of your portfolio.

Highlight key accomplishments, goals, and experiences relevant to the jobs you’re aiming for. Tailor it to show how your specific expertise, whether it’s in email marketing or social media strategy, makes you the right fit for the position.

"Do what you do so well that they will want to see it again and bring their friends"

Walt Disney

Tip #3 - Use a Template

If you find you're struggling to figure out where to begin, use a template. There are so many great free templates out there from Wix, Adobe, Canva, and more, there's no need to sweat the small stuff, just get straight to the content and let these templates do the work.

Tip #4 - Samples of Your Work

Showcase your best work. Whether it’s social media posts, web content, or design projects, make sure to display what you’ve personally contributed to.

I think as students we assume that this only includes paid work. Don't be scared to include your school projects, if you did a social media assessment as a class project add that in there! If you feel like you don't have much to show, create your projects, make up a company and create social media posts for them, it's all about showing your strengths!

Tip #5 - Accomplishments

This is YOUR creative portfolio; it's time to boast about your awards and praises. A high GPA, awards, testimonials, or positive feedback from clients or colleagues are great examples of what to include.

Being an executive member of the DSUMA provides volunteer experience, chances to network with professionals in the marketing industry, and create content for your portfolio, sign up here to join and get access to amazing opportunities that will help land you your dream jobs!

Don’t Forget to Add a Closing Statement

By building a strong marketing portfolio, you're not only showcasing your skills but also shaping your brand and positioning yourself for new opportunities. So take the time to craft one that truly reflects your expertise and unique voice—you'll be glad you did!

Source: Adapted from original content on Indeed.