Free live workshopBecome an AI-Ready Instructional DesignerFree live workshop, Mon Nov 9 to Thu Nov 12, 6:30pm CTSave your free seat →

Why Hiring Managers Reject Your Portfolio in 10 Seconds.

Five portfolio mistakes that make hiring managers close the tab, pulled from real portfolio reviews across the community.

Episode 33~21 min
June 2026 Hosted by Jill Davidian

Prefer your podcast app? Listen on Substack, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

You've put real effort into your portfolio. But do hiring managers even get past the first page? After reviewing portfolios from the community, the same mistakes kept showing up. This episode covers five issues that get portfolios closed within ten seconds, so you can fix them before they cost you an interview.

The fix-it companion is the Ultimate Guide.

What's in this episode

  • The five most common portfolio mistakes, including a Storyline beginner error that signals inexperience immediately
  • Which samples belong in a corporate ID portfolio, and the five minimum pieces required
  • Why your portfolio is marketing material, not just a work collection, and how that changes how you build it

Keep listening

More on what goes in an instructional design portfolio