A Practical Guide to Developing a Portfolio for the Newly Self-Employed
You’ve been convinced that self-employment is great for disabled and chronically ill people, and the best option for you moving forward. That’s great!
Some people already have business ideas, have something they would love to do, or can do their previous job from home. On the other hand, some people will have no idea where to start— this article is for you.
Photo by Anete Lūsiņa on Unsplash: There is a wooden table with a laptop, a shiny, bronze mug, a book and an envelope on top of it. There are also switched on fairy lights across the table, some leaves from a plant hover above the edge of the table. The laptop has a selection of colourful images across the screen.
What should your portfolio focus on?
This can be the hardest part. Take an hour and brainstorm what skills you have from previous jobs or volunteering, asking people to help if you find it difficult. Don’t leave anything out! Then, compare your skills against what jobs are available.
Some popular jobs to look into are editing, translation, copywriting, design, marketing, IT, customer services, writing, tutoring, and being a VA (virtual assistant). Do some research on any that appeal to you— there’s a lot of information out there about each of them.
How to decide what your portfolio should look like.
Some of these will have a “normal” application process, but many of these will require a portfolio, which can be challenging if you’ve never had one before. One tip is to look at other people’s portfolios in the field(s) you’re looking at.
Do your research in whatever way is easiest for you – you can read articles, watch YouTube videos, or listen to podcasts, for example. There’s a lot of information on the subject, and it can be overwhelming when you have a chronic illness or disability – take it slowly, step by step.
Putting together your portfolio
In terms of software, Canva is a great resource. It’s free, reasonably accessible and has template portfolios which are easy to edit.
Always use your best and relevant work. This is how potential employers will be deciding whether to hire you, so make sure you’re showcasing work they actually want to see.
Beginners always have to start somewhere, but try for 3 pieces of work as a minimum.
If you have multiple skills, say editing and copywriting, or web design and programming, you can have them both in the same portfolio. Someone might hire you for your VA skills and later remember that you had translation skills.
On the other hand, if you focus on anything specific, make sure that’s clear. For example, if your specialism is translation of legal documents, make sure you show that. Don’t waste time showing translations of something else entirely.
If you’ve achieved anything special, such as awards, mention them!
What if you don’t have any work to put into a portfolio?
This is common when you’re just starting out, so don’t panic. Volunteering is a good way to begin— think about organisations that you could be interested in creating work for and send them a message or an email. If you’re interested in employment and disability, of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention SIC!
Many groups and companies offer mentorship schemes as well, which can be really useful. You can develop your skills and knowledge while getting advice from people who are already established in your field.
Finally, there’s a lot of information out there, so it’s important to take it step by step and not get overwhelmed. You can always ask for help, from friends, family or professional connections— many people are happy to help if you just ask!
Written by Rita