Employers will reject you – because you're missing this...

At this time, many final-year students, recent graduates, and young workers are busy building their portfolios in preparation for the 2026 recruitment season.

"Sprint" to build a portfolio by the end of the year.

Nguyen Kim Ngan, a student at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, said that for almost a month now, she has spent a lot of her free time editing her portfolio.

"I gathered all the articles I'd ever written, from class assignments and collaborative work for the fanpage to small freelance projects. Then I had to sort them out, add notes, and present them neatly so I could apply for jobs after Tet," Ngan shared.

Nguyen Ta Huy Hoang (24 years old, residing at 793/28 Tran Xuan Soan Street, Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly Tan Hung Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City) is a beginner-level programmer. Hoang says he is currently taking advantage of the end of the year to complete his personal portfolio on GitHub (a social network for programmers) and his own website. "I used to think that a CV was enough. But after failing several interviews, I realized that recruiters are very interested in actual products. A portfolio is like living proof," Hoang said.

On job-seeking forums and groups, many young people also post requests for guidance from experienced individuals on how to build a polished portfolio that will easily impress companies.

Many young people are busy building their portfolios in preparation for the 2026 job market.

PHOTO: THANH NAM

Mr. Hoang Duy Phuong, Deputy Director of Anh Linh Construction Investment Co., Ltd., Thu Dau Mot Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Phu Tho Ward , Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong Province), said that portfolio is a familiar concept in creative industries, especially in fields such as marketing, technology, media, design, and business.

According to Mr. Phuong, in the context of a fiercely competitive labor market, a portfolio is an important "passport" to a successful career, not only helping young people demonstrate what they have accomplished, but also showing how they work and think.

Mr. Phuong believes that many people mistakenly think a portfolio is similar to a CV (Curriculum Vitae), but they are actually different.

"A CV shows where the candidate studied and worked. A portfolio, on the other hand, shows what they can actually do," Mr. Phuong shared, adding, "A CV is usually only 1-2 pages long, listing personal information, summarizing educational qualifications, work experience, and job-related skills. Meanwhile, a portfolio is a collection of specific products, projects, and work results, which can be presented as a PDF file, personal website, Google Drive, or specialized platform."

The importance of a portfolio

Speaking about the importance of portfolios, Ms. Do Thi Nguyen Huong, recruitment manager at Trinh Quang Construction and Architecture Co., Ltd., Thoi An Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Thoi An Ward, District 12, Ho Chi Minh City), said: "Many CVs state: 'skilled in executing large-scale projects,' 'able to work in a team.' However, only by reviewing the portfolio can businesses know what specific skills the candidate possesses, their mindset, and whether they are suitable for the job...", Ms. Huong said.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, Head of Human Resources at Phuc Nguyen Hao Co., Ltd. (An Lac Ward, Ho Chi Minh City; formerly An Lac A Ward, Binh Tan District, Ho Chi Minh City), the period from the beginning of December onwards is considered a suitable time for young people to complete their job applications and be ready to apply when businesses launch large-scale recruitment drives after the Lunar New Year.

According to Ms. Trang, portfolios are playing an increasingly important role in the job application process for young people, especially those who are new to the workforce or have little experience. In the context of businesses needing to recruit quickly, portfolios help recruiters assess candidates' abilities in just a few minutes, instead of spending time reading through each CV in depth.

Ms. Trang believes that a portfolio not only helps verify practical capabilities but also reflects the candidate's work style, personal thinking, and level of investment. Many candidates who have never worked at a large company but possess a well-structured portfolio that clearly demonstrates their learning process are still considered a significant advantage.

Having a well-structured portfolio that clearly showcases your education and experience is considered a major advantage when applying for a job.

PHOTO: THANH NAM

Representatives from many businesses believe that a common mistake young people make when creating portfolios is trying to include too much, lacking focus, or exaggerating their actual abilities.

Ms. Trang emphasized: "A portfolio is not a place to show off fabricated achievements. Candidates should only include projects they were actually involved in, clearly stating their individual roles and being honest about the level of completion. Employers may accept candidates with less experience, but they will not tolerate dishonesty."

Ms. Huong noted: "A good portfolio doesn't need to be too thick. 5-10 representative projects are enough to showcase your capabilities. Instead of including 20-30 similar projects, choose projects that demonstrate progress, diverse skills, or solve specific problems. Additionally, the layout should be clear and easy to read, avoiding clutter. Recruiters only spend a few minutes reviewing a portfolio; if it's messy, they'll easily move on."

Many young people build very creative portfolios.

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT

Mr. Phuong advises young people to build a portfolio that is suitable for each position they apply for, and not use a single portfolio for all jobs, because each position has a different focus.

"For example, content marketing needs to highlight articles, campaigns, and data; while design should focus on visual products, layout, and color..." Mr. Phuong said, adding: "A portfolio is not only useful for job applications but also helps young people reflect on their development, identify strengths and weaknesses, and recognize skills that need improvement. For freelancers or those building a personal brand, a portfolio is also the 'face' to reach clients and partners."

Ms. Trang believes that the recruitment season at the beginning of the year arrives very quickly, just a few weeks after the Lunar New Year. "Therefore, young people should prepare their portfolios from the end of the year to avoid being caught off guard. A portfolio cannot be completed in a few days; it requires time for selection, editing, and skill enhancement. This process helps job seekers enter the 2026 recruitment season with a proactive mindset, ready to seize opportunities," Ms. Trang said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nha-tuyen-dung-se-loai-ban-vi-thieu-thu-nay-185260119130954506.htm