A Calm Approach to Compiling Work Samples
One of the most dreaded parts of even thinking about a job search is this question: “What am I supposed to do about work samples?” Compiling new pieces for case studies or your portfolio can feel daunting, especially if you’ve been in your role for a long time, worked on confidential projects, or haven’t looked at your work through a “portfolio” lens before.
Let’s break this process down into a few bite-sized steps so that you can feel more confident putting together work that really shows hiring managers your accomplishments in the best light.
This week is about compiling, not perfecting. Gathering, not polishing. Let’s make this manageable!
Photo by Judit Peter
Start by Simply Taking Inventory
Before worrying about presentation or format, begin with awareness.
Ask yourself:
What samples of my work do I currently have access to?
What samples are easily available without creating something new?
This might include:
Decks, presentations, or reports
Screenshots or visuals
Campaign summaries or project overviews
Writing samples or strategy documents
At this stage, you’re not judging quality or relevance. You’re just noticing what exists. That’s it. I like to use a staging tool like Notion (I know, I always write about Notion, but it’s a great tool!) as a way to keep myself organized as to what topics of work I’d like to feature. You can use a notebook or even the “Notes” tool, whatever works best and is most do-able for you.
Think About Simple, Consistent Presentation
Once you know what you have, the next step is deciding how to organize it, without reinventing the wheel. One helpful approach is using an AI tool to create a repeatable case study framework. This can give you a simple structure you reuse across multiple samples and can take much of the heavy content-lifting over for you.
For example, a basic framework might include:
The problem you were solving
The role you played
The team you worked with
The results you achieved
Using a consistent format makes your work easier to understand and easier for you to build over time.
Use Tools You Already Have
You don’t need new software or paid platforms to get started.
If you’re on LinkedIn, you already have access to tools that can help you showcase your work. Slide-based features allow you to visually tell your story and attach samples directly to your profile often at no additional cost.
This can be a low-pressure way to begin organizing and presenting your work without committing to a full portfolio website or redesign.
A Gentle Reminder
You are not creating a final portfolio this week, you are simply laying the groundwork. Sorting through your past successes is also a wonderful way to infuse confidence into a search. Nothing really compares to sifting through your career highlight reel in a sea of uncertainty. Tapping into these successes is a wonderful vitamin to build your confidence in wanting to talk about the great work you’ve accomplished, and instill a feeling of wanting to share your story with others.
Choose one small step:
Make a list
Gather a few files
Sketch out a simple framework
That’s enough for now. One thing at a time.
You’ve got this and if you need someone to cheer you on, I’m always here!