The Story of Two Portfolios: Why One Got Hired and the Other Didn’t

Hiring managers see hundreds of design portfolios, but only a handful truly stand out. Some candidates make an immediate impression, while others get lost in the shuffle.

Meet Alex and Jamie, two product designers who applied for the same role. Both had similar experience, worked on exciting projects, and were skilled in UX and visual design. Yet, only one landed the job.

So, what made the difference?

Portfolio #1: Jamie’s Portfolio — The One That Fell Short

Jamie’s portfolio was visually stunning. The homepage showcased vibrant UI designs, sleek Dribbble-worthy shots, and beautifully crafted animations. At first glance, it seemed impressive.

But as the hiring manager clicked through, red flags appeared:

• Too much focus on visuals, not enough storytelling — There were no clear case studies, just final screens with little context.
• Lack of problem-solving explanation — Jamie didn’t explain how design decisions were made, what challenges were faced, or what business impact the work had.
• No insight into collaboration — Hiring managers couldn’t tell how Jamie worked with engineers, PMs, or stakeholders.
• Too many projects, not enough depth — Jamie listed eight different projects, but none were explained in detail.

By the time the hiring manager finished reviewing Jamie’s portfolio, they weren’t sure if Jamie was a great problem solver — just that they could make polished designs.

Verdict? Jamie’s portfolio didn’t tell a story. It was visually appealing but didn’t demonstrate product thinking or business impact.

Portfolio #2: Alex’s Portfolio — The One That Got Hired

Alex’s portfolio was clean, simple, and focused on impact. Instead of overwhelming the hiring manager with too many projects, Alex showcased three solid case studies — each one structured to highlight problem-solving skills.

Here’s what made Alex’s portfolio stand out:

1. Clear Problem-Solving Approach

Each case study started with a concise problem statement:

“Users were abandoning the checkout process at a high rate, leading to a 30% drop in conversions. My goal was to simplify the flow and reduce friction.”

Immediately, the hiring manager understood the why behind the project.

2. Process, Not Just Pretty Screens

Instead of just showing polished UI, Alex walked through the design thinking process:

✅ User research insights
✅ Wireframes & iterations
✅ Trade-offs & constraints faced
✅ Collaboration with engineers & PMs

The case study included before-and-after comparisons, demonstrating how design decisions led to real improvements.

3. Business Impact & Measurable Results

Alex didn’t just talk about design; they showed impact:

✅ Checkout conversion rate increased by 15% after the redesign
✅ Customer support tickets related to checkout dropped by 40%
✅ A/B testing showed a 25% decrease in user drop-off

This made it clear that Alex’s work wasn’t just about aesthetics — it delivered results.

4. Engaging, Yet Concise Storytelling

Alex’s writing was short and direct, making it easy for the hiring manager to skim and absorb key takeaways.

Instead of over-explaining the process, Alex highlighted the most important parts and supported them with visuals (such as annotated wireframes and final product screenshots).

Why Alex Got Hired (and Jamie Didn’t)

At the end of the day, hiring managers don’t just want to see pretty designs — they want to know:

• Can you solve real user problems?
• Can you communicate your process effectively?
• Can you show measurable impact?
• Can you collaborate with cross-functional teams?

Alex’s portfolio answered all these questions. Jamie’s didn’t.

This is why great portfolios aren’t about quantity — they’re about clarity, depth, and storytelling.

Carl is a Talent Sourcer Building Design, Product & Engineering Teams at Meta. Carl is also a Mentor at Mento Design Academy. Before recruiting, he was a product designer working with many tech startups to design mobile apps. Carl is also the co-founder of a Meetup called Global UXD where he helps connect designers with each other and create new opportunities. Having completed Thinkful and DesignLab bootcamps before becoming a recruiter, he’s an expert at helping designers land their first design roles. Find Carl on carlwheatly.com and LinkedIn.