CONTINUED: Top five ways to build a visual portfolio that gets you hired

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3. Showcase your versatility

If you’re really passionate about motorcycles, they are probably the last thing you should consider putting in your portfolio—unless you’re trying to land a job where that is the main subject matter. Clients and employers want to know that you can handle creating visual solutions for their unique needs. So some variety is crucial.

My first portfolio contained too much of what I really loved. It demonstrated that I could do great things with themes like dead rock musicians and spooky television shows, but it didn’t prove that I was capable of dealing with anything outside of my own personal interests.

Whenever the audience for your portfolio has to work too hard to imagine you solving its problems, the chances of being hired fall dramatically. So unless you plan on marketing your talents to only a very defined niche, it’s best to stretch yourself with projects outside of your comfort zone.

If you’re still in school, offering your services to clients for a discount offers the benefits of building variety into your portfolio while also proving that you can take on different types of real-world challenges.

2. Update and simplify

It’s incredible, but it’s true. I’ve seen a 50-year-old graphic designer use samples from when he was in school 30 years ago. This is an extreme example, but when it comes to assembling your portfolio it’s generally best to use your most recent work.

Theoretically, the more experience you have, the better your portfolio should be. So why showcase something that isn’t at the level of your current abilities? And why would someone hire you if you can’t demonstrate that you currently have the skills to do the job?

It’s also a good idea not to throw in everything you’ve ever done. Keep your portfolio to a reasonable size. Showing more than 10 to 15 examples tends to water down the impact of each piece. But showing too few examples makes it look like you don’t have much practice in your field. Still, quality and relevance trumps quantity. So when in doubt, throw it out.

1. Trust your gut

Sometimes rules are meant to be broken. If you’ve done your research ahead of time to get to know the client or company you’ll be showing your portfolio to, then you can often trust your intuition and customize your presentation to match what you’ve learned. Dazzle them with an unusual approach that you think they will appreciate.

Just be careful. If you aren’t honest with yourself about the quality of your work or its relevance to your audience, taking such risks can backfire.

But, sometimes, taking a calculated chance is exactly what will put you solidly ahead of your competition and get you the job.