Building a portfolio - transitioning from IT into front-end development

Luis:

If there's not a lot that you can show for your experience, due to NDAs, I would recommend building a few side projects, and explain what you did, how you designed them, what technologies you used, and problems you encountered and solved in the process.

This is the best way to show that you are capable of the type of jobs that you are going for.

Luis and George I am right there with you. I even have my degree in design! But since I have been working strictly in IT for the last 4 years it has been hard to make the jump back in.

I have 1 side project in the works and am hoping for another. If that doesn't pan out I will go as far as designing for non-existent companies just to show what I am capable of.

The blog is a good idea. I just need to figure out what my niche would be and how to keep it fresh and regular.

P.S. John - Great advice.

I am in the same boat, I'm a desktop support specialist and I am trying to make the transition from that to Back End development. I am currently working on the second version of my portfolio site which includes a blog. I also don't have a hand in a lot of projects but one thing I keep reading over and over is that along with work writing a blog and contributing regularly to it is also a good tool. For example building a concept or proof of concept webpage and writing about it, how you did it, and what you learned, etc.

Also as far as showing off your work I don't have much of anything but as I'm working on projects I put updates for current projects. (It isn't much because it's literally one project with the most current update of the code/webpage).

But good luck anyway, hope you find the job you're looking for!!

I can see where you are coming from as I find it hard sometimes to work on my own site due to the amount of time required on clients projects but you have to find the time some where if you want to expand or adapt to a new area.

My advice would be to focus on creating a small amount of sites to showcase your skills. You will also learn a lot when creating the sites which will help you to provide a better service for your new clients. So rather than having a number of sites for your portfolio in mind, I would instead just develop one website at a time and make them the best that you can. Having 3 high quality websites would be far better than having 12 sites that were not of your best work.

You could write detailed descriptions about each website as well to add more content to your portfolio.

Once you have just a few quality websites to showcase this should be enough to get your first few clients. Your portfolio will naturally after this point then expand as you work on future client projects.

How about designing your portfolio as a website that has links to any apps you develop or download links to web applications or desktop applications you develop? Any other feedback fellow treehouse teammates?