Do You Need a Portfolio Website If You Already Have a CV?
If you already have a strong CV and resume, is a portfolio website really necessary? The answer is yes, and here's why it makes the difference between being considered and being remembered.
This is one of the most common questions job seekers ask.
If you already have a strong CV, a well written resume, and relevant experience, is a portfolio website really necessary?
The short answer is yes. In many cases, it is the difference between being considered and being remembered.
Here is why.
What a CV Is Designed to Do
A CV is designed to summarize.
It gives recruiters a fast way to:
- Check qualifications
- Compare candidates
- Screen for role fit
- Shortlist applications
A CV is efficient and standardized. That is its strength.
It is also its limitation.
What a Portfolio Website Is Designed to Do
A portfolio website is designed to explain.
It allows you to:
- Add context to your experience
- Show real projects and outcomes
- Demonstrate how you think and work
- Present yourself professionally beyond a PDF
A portfolio website does not replace your CV. It supports it.
Why a CV Alone Often Falls Short
Recruiters rarely make decisions based on a CV alone.
A CV tells them what you did. It does not always show:
- How you approached problems
- What your contribution actually was
- How your skills were applied
- How you communicate your work
When many candidates have similar experience on paper, the CV stops being a differentiator.
When a Portfolio Website Matters Most
You especially benefit from a portfolio website if:
- You work in a skills based role
- You are applying for competitive positions
- You are switching careers or industries
- You are early in your career
- You are applying without referrals
In these situations, a portfolio website gives recruiters more confidence in you.
What Recruiters Actually Do
In practice, recruiters often:
- Scan your CV quickly
- Click your LinkedIn profile
- Look for a portfolio or personal website
If they find one, they spend more time evaluating you. Not because it is required, but because it reduces uncertainty.
A portfolio website signals effort, clarity, and professionalism.
CV vs Portfolio Website: How They Work Together
The strongest candidates use both.
A good setup looks like this:
- A clear, focused CV
- A portfolio website link at the top
- The CV for screening
- The website for evaluation
This combination works across industries and seniority levels.
What a Simple Portfolio Website Should Include
You do not need anything complex.
A simple portfolio website should have:
- A short introduction explaining what you do
- A few key projects or experiences
- Skills shown through real work
- A clean layout that is easy to navigate
- Clear contact information
This alone is enough to make a difference.
Common Objections and the Reality
"I do not have enough work to show"
A portfolio can show how you think, not just what you built.
"I am not a designer"
Design is not the goal. Clarity is.
"I already have LinkedIn"
LinkedIn is a profile. A portfolio website is your space.
Final Answer
If you already have a CV, you do not need to choose between it and a portfolio website.
You need both.
Your CV gets you through the door. Your portfolio website helps you stand out once you are inside.
If you want a faster way to create a portfolio website from your existing CV, tools like proveyou.to are designed for exactly that. Upload your CV, turn it into a real website, and edit it as your career grows.
The key is not perfection. It is giving recruiters what they need to understand you better.
That is what makes the difference.
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