Software Testing Podcast - Episode 026 - Portfolio Projects - The Evil Tester Show

Should you have an online portfolio showcasing your skills and abilities to help get a job?

It really depends on the recruitment process. But… if I’m recruiting, and you have a profile then I will have looked at it. So it better be good.

Welcome to The Evil Tester Show! Covering the common question of “Should we have portfolio projects?” Alan shares his experience as both a creator and reviewer of portfolios, covering everything from the dos and don’ts of GitHub repos, to which skills actually benefit from a showcase, and how a well-crafted readme can make a difference. Whether you’re considering building a portfolio, looking to upgrade your current one, or wondering where to focus your efforts, this episode has practical advice to help you stand out as a top 1% applicants and avoid creating a portfolio that could hurt more than help.

Episode Summary

A practical look at online portfolios for developers and testers. Covering both trying to find your next role and also looking to switch careers. Most people don’t have public portfolios so that means you can really stand out if you build a good one.

We explore what actually matters in a portfolio: the difference between learning repos, personal projects, and true showcase projects designed for job hunting. We break down the content that impresses, and the stuff that doesn’t. We emphasize the need for simplicity and quality. Expect to find tips about managing forks on GitHub, writing an effective README, documenting your learning process, and promoting your work across LinkedIn and blogs to maximize visibility.

Tailor your projects to communicate exactly what you want and make your portfolio a focused sales tool rather than a catch-all for everything you’ve ever coded. Plus, advice on how to keep your repo clean, how to handle learning projects when switching roles or languages, and why you should never be afraid to show that you’re still learning.

Most recruiters won’t look at your portfolio, but when they do, you’ll want to be in the top 1%. If you do decide to build a portfolio, make sure it represents your best work.

Outline

00:00 Portfolio Value

The episode starts by discussing the real-world value of online portfolios. Most recruiters don’t look at them, but if the right person does, yours better be impressive. The host shares personal experiences with portfolios and offers perspective on how useful these tools can really be.

02:59 Stand Out Skills

We dig into what actually makes you, and your portfolio, stand out. Typical skills tested during interviews like defect writing, test cases, or strategies do not need to be shown off in a repo. Instead, focus on things that make you unique, such as personal opinions, in-depth case studies, or examples of thought leadership. This is often best done through blogs or articles, linked to your GitHub on your LinkedIn profile.

09:19 Project Types

A breakdown of project types:

• Learning Projects: Messy, experimental, used to learn new tools, languages, or skills. It’s okay if they’re not polished, but document what you learned.
• Personal Projects: Hobbies or interests that show personality and initiative. These don’t need to be perfect but should reflect genuine enthusiasm and curiosity.
• Portfolio Projects (Showcase Projects): Your best, most complete work. These should be polished, well-documented, and focused on the skills you’re trying to sell.

Making these distinctions helps recruiters judge your work appropriately. Always clarify the purpose in your README files.

12:27 Showcase Projects

Showcase projects are your sales pitch—they need to be as close to perfect as possible. The host shares advice on what to include in a GitHub repo:

• Use your profile README to introduce yourself professionally.
• Only include original repos, not forks, to keep things clean.
• Don’t commit IDE or compiled files; use .gitignore.
• Use static analysis tools and add unit tests to show you care about quality.
• Readme documentation should cover project intent, installation instructions, known limitations, and choices made during development.
• Whenever possible, leverage GitHub Actions to show your code works.

Recency and maintenance matter when looking for work. Keep your portfolio projects updated and relevant.

19:39 Promoting Yourself

Once you’ve created a portfolio project, get the word out. Add it to your LinkedIn profile, feature it as a project, and share articles about your work. Updating and promoting your portfolio regularly keeps it visible and demonstrates your ongoing growth.

21:44 Final Advice

Most professionals don’t bother with portfolios, a missed opportunity for many, but if you go the extra mile to create one you can stand out. Make sure it’s good, you don’t want to stand out because it’s bad. Even if recruiters don’t look at it most of the time, the right one will, and that’s when it really helps. Sharing your learning and even your mistakes is crucial for personal development, especially as you gain more experience.

Key Takeaways

• Most developers and testers don’t have a portfolio, so building one sets you apart when it’s high quality.
• A strong online portfolio acts as a sales tool, focusing on your best, most relevant skills for the job you want.
• Differentiate between learning projects, personal hobby repos, and polished, focused showcase repositories.
• Keeping documentation clear, and up-to-date is just as important as good code in your portfolio.
• Promoting your portfolio on platforms like LinkedIn and your blog can drive the right attention.

Quotes

“Should you have an online portfolio showcasing your skills and abilities and will that help you get a job? Well, I got an online portfolio, I’ve had one for years. But I also know that people don’t look at it.”

“If you’ve got a portfolio and it’s bad, it might put interviewers off. If you’ve got a learning project and you’ve been copying someone on YouTube… When people look at that, they’re gonna go, ‘This person doesn’t know what they’re doing.’”

“What you want to showcase is something that makes you different, a reason why someone would pick you up as opposed to someone else.”

“Portfolio project says, ‘I know how to do this, therefore judge me on the work.’ A learning project is, ‘I learned from these other people.’”

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