Just like Shell, Chevron, Mtn and the likes keep most graduates out of job by asking for 5-6 years of experience regardless of whether you know your onions or not.
I have not been able to apply for any web designer/developer job because I don’t have a portfolio, I feel like I am good enough to apply for most of the jobs but I can’t.
I can’t even approach people to let me build their websites for them, they will always hit me with the “What have you done” question.
How can I build my portfolio?
Do I randomly buy domain names and hosting just for this?
How did you build your portfolio?
You obviously know what your problem is but I’m nice these days.
Build websites for mock companies/yourself. It’s pretty obvious
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By doing actual stuff. Build your own website or something, then come back.
Do I randomly buy domain names and hosting just for this?
If you are building your own website, it’s no longer random, is it?
How did you build your portfolio?
By doing exactly what I’ve told you.
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To be honest, this is a serious problem we need to solve. At StartupJobs, we get so many CVs and I interviewed couple of them but its all boils down to the same problem … no practical experience, portfolio or even a project they did in school.
I came across an article couple of days ago which says:
Longe suggested building what he called practical schools. “And practical schools doesn’t necessarily need to be a formal education institution,” he explains. “It could be an existing company or existing startup that’s actually churning out people who understand the thinking around what it takes to build a technology business.”
I’m not sure if this is the ideal solution but Andela is just a brilliant idea. @lordbanks not everyone has the capacity or self motivation to build something on their own, sometimes they need guidance and direction.
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I realise that. But here is some free motivation. How about doing some free work? Ask the “client” to pay for their own resources, but do it pro bono, to build said portfolio. Be super transparent about what you are doing so they know you are really doing it for free and not inflating domain name or hosting costs to make a buck out of it. Not only will you have a portfolio at the end of the day, you should have a list of grateful references who will give you a recommendation (that you can put on your website/LinkedIn) at the drop of a hat. If you do decent work, that is. Will it hurt and be inconvenient. Yes. Will you have a portfolio and experience at the end of that? Yes.
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If you do not have the self motivation to build something for yourself, then why should I trust you with my project? I may never be able to motivate your enough…
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Start a wordpress blog. Publish posts covering your current experience. Ask to work voluntarily. There are so many companies / startups that would accept you on a voluntary basis. You can contact me if you want. Then build your profile. Don’t worry you would soon land a lucrative project.
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This thread is similar to that 8 year experience topic.
If you can’t build for yourself then there’s no point been a programmer or looking for a programming gig.
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When i started 9jabookings… Clients wants us to show them pictures of events we have booked celebrities for… We have none… I decided to go to every possible events and snap with celebrities with our branded tshirt…
When my sister was writing her CV… She had no work experience… I asked her to include her Industrial Training, Her NYSC as work experience… I also gave her the oppourtunity to reply clients emails and answer our customer service phone line… In return she proudly wrote on her CV that she onced worked for 9jabookings.com
Think towards ds way…
Well, if this does not help… I have enough website you can design for me if it is free… You can always use them as your portfolio… I can even write testimonials for you and even act as a referee if you ever need one… Shoot me an email balogundanjuma@gmail.com
Thanks @Engrtitus
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Haha, well done.
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Lool…@BalogunDanjuma OOshaaaa… Always taking advantage of every situation
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Seriously, you should think about interning. See if tech is the right career path for you.The fact that you haven’t even motivated your own self to do some type of project is worrying. And to place that lack of motivation in a structured job situation will end horribly for you and your future employers. Not even a school project?! Is web development something you really really want to do? Working in tech requires a lot of self starting. Be it at a startup or a large corporate. And it seems that you are lacking greatly in this area.
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But how does one graduate without having done some type of project. I might be ignorant about the situation in Nigeria though. Someone please enlighten me, is that not a requirement for graduation or even completion of degree?
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I did projects in school, but they were Petroleum Engineering related projects not computer science related projects.
I do web designing because I have a passion for it, it’s not like I haven’t done anything myself before…I created UnibadanMarket.com while I was in school, a website I suppose @BalogunDanjuma is familiar with…I am also working on Easytickets.com.ng at the moment.
1.5 projects doesn’t count as portfolio right?..hence, my post.
Thank you @lordbanks , @binjoadeniran , @Shinamee , @BalogunDanjuma for your comments, and thank you @xolubi for the comment you are about to write.
I will work on the points you made
You got quite a good number of suggestions here:
- Internship (you need to convince companies to take you on)
- Work on projects for free (i prefer this since you will get good references - you can take the offer from @BalogunDanjuma)
- Work on your own projects (i can tell you for free, you may not have the motivation for this. Don’t ask me why)
Just helping with summarising 
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Oh my god, looooool
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Be like @aixen
One day she was browsing Stanbic IBTC bank and she noticed something was not right. So, she decided to do a mockup of how that problem can be solved. The details are here: https://aixen.webflow.io/stanbic
And that profile and other things she had done are why my company is considering hiring her for a PROJECT. That is what you should do too. All the best.
MORE HELPFUL TIPS THAT ARE PRACTICAL .
- Identify someone you want to work for (there are lots you can find on Radar)
- Find out what they are struggling with that you can solve with your skills (check their websites etc.)
- Solve that problem COMPLETELY and forward a link of the solution to that person.
- Don’t ASK FOR ANYTHING (Don’t ask for moneyyyyyy. That is the secret)
- Make Money while building your portfolio doing this.
Bryan Harris called it the SANTA CLAUS FORMULAR
Don’t Discount Your Portfolio. Learn from how @aixen presented her profile.
Go. Do it and be LUCKY 
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Lmao. I can’t breathe. Ezra don cast.
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