Reevaluating the Role of Portfolios: Their Influence on Career Success for Junior Software Professionals.
Minenko, Maksim (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052616116
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052616116
Tiivistelmä
Due to difficulties in the current job market for junior software developers, creation of flashy portfolios is often emphasized across social media and career advice platforms as a way to break out to the first professional employment. Many online sources suggest that portfolios are an essential tool for standing out in the competitive job market and became a rather absolute necessity. This thesis deeply dives into these portfolio recommendations and aims to critically evaluate made claims through literature analysis, recommendation reviews, and most importantly by directly gathering industry insights from recruitment professionals.
The research focuses on finding out whether portfolios are impacting hiring decisions or if their importance might be mispresented. Through qualitative interviews with IT recruiters and hiring managers, the study investigates the role of portfolios, particularly for entry-level positions. Based on the results of findings standalone portfolios are not playing the decisive role throughout any stage of recruitment. Instead, a well-defined CV with one or two projects, followed by strong performance in technical rounds, plays the definitive role.
This thesis challenges the widely accepted concept that a glittery portfolio significantly increases employment chances for junior developers. The results highlight the disconnect between the online perspective and real hiring practices.
The research focuses on finding out whether portfolios are impacting hiring decisions or if their importance might be mispresented. Through qualitative interviews with IT recruiters and hiring managers, the study investigates the role of portfolios, particularly for entry-level positions. Based on the results of findings standalone portfolios are not playing the decisive role throughout any stage of recruitment. Instead, a well-defined CV with one or two projects, followed by strong performance in technical rounds, plays the definitive role.
This thesis challenges the widely accepted concept that a glittery portfolio significantly increases employment chances for junior developers. The results highlight the disconnect between the online perspective and real hiring practices.