Portfolio reviews: 7 mistakes we see weekly

Most portfolios fail in the first ten seconds, before anyone reads a word. Here are the seven patterns we flag most often in cohort reviews.

1. Leading with the final screens

Hiring managers want to see how you think. Open with the problem and the constraint, then show the screens as the answer.

2. Five projects that all look the same

Two deep case studies beat five shallow ones. Pick work that shows range: one product flow, one system, one messy research problem.

3. No numbers

"Improved onboarding" says nothing. "Cut drop-off on step two from 41% to 18%" gets you a call.

Show the decision you're proudest of, and the one you'd change.

4. Hiding the mess

Sketches, dead ends and rejected directions prove you did the work. Keep two or three in every case study.