The Difference Between a Portfolio & a Resume

Let's set the record straight: portfolios and resumes are BOTH important but they serve very different functions.

A resume provides a brief summary of your qualifications and is typically used for traditional job applications, a portfolio is a more comprehensive collection of your work samples and is often used to showcase your skills and creativity.

When you are creating either one of these on your job or client search process, you likely will see some overlap and confusion between these two common terms. We are here to open a discussion about the differences and provide actionable steps for you to create your own!

3 Key Differences Between Portfolios & Resumes

Purpose

In short, your resume summarizes your qualifications, while your portfolio demonstrates your skills! They each serve a different, but essential function while you're in the application process. Resumes act as a snapshot, providing an overview of your qualifications, experience, and skills. They are a roadmap for employers, summarizing your journey throughout your career. On the other hand, portfolios offer a more in-depth picture of your work specifically. They allow you to showcase your skills mentioned in your resume, through tangible examples.

Content

Typically, a portfolio is more visually focused, whereas a resume is more text-based; although this does depend on the type of work you hope to convey. Portfolios provide an opportunity to creatively display your work, whether it's through design, writing samples, project visuals, or even interactive elements. Unlike text-heavy resumes, portfolios allow potential employers or clients to engage with your work directly, fostering a deeper understanding of your capabilities.

Format

While resumes generally follow a standard format, portfolios offer more flexibility and creativity. Portfolios can incorporate diverse media formats or layouts, allowing for individuality, whereas resumes are typically more cookie-cutter in terms of formatting. For portfolios, we like to use Canva to create either a PDF or a presentation. Check out our portfolio template inside our Social Savvy Resource Shop if you need it!

Both documents have their place in the job search and can complement each other in presenting a well-rounded picture of your professional skills, they aren't the same. the distinction between the two is essential, and a well-crafted combination of both can significantly enhance your chances of landing your dream job or client!

There are more portfolio resources where this came from! Check out our free video series where we go over all the foundations of building your social media management business, like portfolios!⁠