Reviewing My Subscriber’s Portfolios! - 12 EASY Tips

I love helping junior software developers get into the jobs they want and start their careers in software! Today I’m reviewing a few portfolio websites that were sent to me, hopefully the feedback is helpful to everyone watching!
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below!
If you want to be included in a future review (GitHub, LinkedIn, Personal Website, etc.) then keep an eye on my LinkedIn posts so you know when I request links for a future video! / jaden-feddock
HUGE thanks to everyone who submitted and let me review their sites, if you want to take a look (and potentially hire them!) Here they are in order:
John David Delgado www.johndavid-delgado.com/
James Caleca www.jamescaleca.com
Cody Snell www.codysnell.dev/
Brad Herr brad-herr-portfolio.netlify.app/
Kashan Haider kashanhaider.com/
Rodney Todd rodneytodd.netlify.app/
Seonah Nathali confident-elion-25e30f.netlif...
#Developer #Reacts #Websites
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Hi, I'm Jaden
I'm a business owner (x2), tech enthusiast, and creator, I’m always looking to improve myself by learning, setting powerful goals, and working hard.
When I'm not building these businesses or coding a fun app, I like to make videos here and write articles for my website!
Enjoy!

[@modernprogrammer6101]

If you have any additional thoughts or ideas to help all of us get better, leave those in the comments!

[@jww0007]

GitHub reviews

[@modernprogrammer6101]

@@jww0007 Good idea!! Thanks!

[@bradherr191]

Thanks man! I appreciate the critique! I built mine quite awhile ago and I definitely need to update some of those things haha

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Glad I could help! Trust me we are all in a process of making our work better, that's the beauty of a personal portfolio site! You get to keep making it better and better throughout your career!

[@gabgabgabsss]

Great video quality and great tips. Man, you're underrated! You just got yourself a new subscriber. And I'll make sure to send you my portfolio once it's done

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Wow thank you!! I’m glad the info is helpful :) it’s what I would’ve wanted to hear when I was starting out!! And I’d love to see it when it’s ready!

[@premd1940]

yes please, we need your reviews on the projects. Great video!

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Thanks!! It’s in the works for sure! If you want to submit your projects, follow me on LinkedIn and I’ll post there to request submissions!

[@aluuusch]

Concerning the question whether to show HTML + CSS in the skills: HR people who are not well versed in software actually often ask me also about HTML and CSS after already knowing that I'm working with React. So similarly they would scan my page for skills which IT experts consider basic. If this gives them some additional motivation to contact me as a developer, I conclude that it can sometimes help to be contacted by a hr person in the first place.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Good point!! It depends on who is looking on your site I guess, if the HR people doing the screening don’t have technical expertise that can be bad for multiple reasons, but could be valuable to have more on there

[@bc4198]

Excellent point!

[@znyl]

Thank you! This definitely helps before I start building my own portfolio website :)

[@modernprogrammer6101]

So glad I could help!! Let me know if you ever have any specific questions!

[@AlexB-jc3eq]

Great video. A lot of useful information in there and always interesting to hear from the perspective of a potential employer. One thing I would say regarding the styling of the vid; consider swapping out the full screen wipe/transitions when giving tips, in favour of smaller boxes in the bottom left corner. It just felt like a bit of a distraction when I was focused on listening to you speak.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

That's a great point! I'm super new to the video editing aspect of it, and that would definitely make it less distracting (it's not necessary to have the full screen just for a few words..) Really appreciate the tips!

[@Maine2020]

Thanks for the tips! I am currently in a boot camp and trying to avoid common mistakes on making my first portfolio.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

That's awesome!! If you want some tips along the way, and are willing to help others too, join our new Discord!! discord.gg/zQBMEcWY95

[@lizrowe]

This was great! I will go back to this video if I ever want to go into web dev seriously (I learned React but do not use any of it for my work). I do think you should lean into your career in the beginning because your LinkedIn shows you skyrocketing in your career. To establish that you know what you are talking about!

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Thanks Liz!! Really appreciate the feedback, let me know if you ever dive into web dev again! And thanks for the feedback, honestly the recent Ali Abdaal and Matt D’Avella vids have been huge on that same point, I honestly feel like there’s always someone more experienced who ‘should’ be sharing these things instead of me… but than again, if I’ve hired 30+ engineers and built dozens of apps and platforms for companies, maybe I do have a thing or two that could help :) Long response but again thanks!

[@JehadiHellTransportAgency]

this was great I am currently in the learning process thanks for all the suggestions.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

You're so welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@jc3209]

A lot of job postings have HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. And a recruiter may not necessarily know that those technologies are used when you're working on a framework like React, so don't you think it's a good idea to include them on your portfolio and/or resume? Maybe have like a "main skills" and "secondary skills" sections

[@modernprogrammer6101]

I like the secondary skills section idea, but you also don’t want to make it look like you ‘aren’t as good’ at those things… I usually say if your list is 10+ things, it would be a good idea to trim out the basic stuff

[@jc3209]

@@modernprogrammer6101 How about services like OAuth, AWS, SendGrid etc?

[@modernprogrammer6101]

@@jc3209 those can actually be super valuable to note! But make sure you’re an expert on them and not just ones you’ve heard of or used lightly :)

[@aremuolayinka5990]

Everything in the video is really helpful :).. but I don't know about removing HTML & CSS from the skill set, that would be the first time that I am hearing that. Most recruiter or employers would expect you to add that. Nice video* thumbs up

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Thanks for the feedback!! It may be a personal preference thing, I usually try to avoid ‘skills’ lists being too overly long, and removing HTML/CSS is usually an easy way to get the list down

[@blackwhite5389]

Very informative, thank you so much.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

So glad you enjoyed it!!

[@robinherzig1294]

Great video, I learned a lot! Quick question though, does the order of material matter? Most people start with their photo/story. But, in my opinion, it makes more sense to start with the portfolio. In my mind, that's the most important content. If an employer only has 5 minutes to look at my site, it seems to me that that time is best spent looking at my previous projects. Your thoughts?

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Good question!! I do think the order matters, but I’ve most often seen a short about section first, to be memorable and give some personal background, and then portfolio and skills (sometimes part, sometimes combined). If the site is short enough, the order is less important

[@hyggedev2124]

I'm on board with some engineers that clones can be a good thing. IMHO, if you can clone a fortune 500 website, you are literally showcasing, you can develop a fortune 500 website. You would be tasked to develop a design if hired as a developers as you'd have a designer(s) to do so. So if you can break down all the intricacies and complexities and technologies of a complex fortune 500 website, and successfully build a responsive duplicated I think that's pretty damn valuable. Just an opinion! 🤗*Edit* you wouldn't* be tasked..

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Thank you for the insight! Love this opinion. Sounds like there is definitely a place for it. Personally I've seen a few people reuse too much, for example if you can inspect the page and see exactly where the divs are, what JS they are using to make certain effects, it can be as much 'learning' as a tutorial (which isn't a ton from what I've seen) but you're right that there can definitely be a place for it *if done correctly* :)

[@Igor-vk8fl]

Exactly, you’re not being hired to be a web designer, but a frontend developer. You get the layout and code it. I also agree clones are a good thing

[@fabricemikobi2173]

Nice review!

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Thanks!

[@itzvoko1]

Thanks a lot for you to make this helpful video! Just a question, do I have to learn Reactjs? I've many experiance in JavaScript (also HTML, CSS and PHP) and I'm trying to be unique by not using frameworks or libraries like Bootstrap or jQuery because the most important thing to me is website performance (fast). but I see a lot of portfolio (if not all them) using React, is it really important? and all companies search for developer using it? Thank you again, hope you read and respond to me.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Hey! Thanks for the feedback! As for frameworks, they definitely aren’t required, you can build amazing stuff without react! It’s a popular language right now, but frameworks come and go all the time :)

[@tbcfrankee]

I think the reason HTML, CSS, JS are not recommended is because they’re required for any site, so writing those is redundant. On the other hand, you can make an app with React or Vue, so it is nice to tell people that you’re more familiar with React than you are with Vue.

[@tbcfrankee]

Just because you don’t need to put them does NOT mean they are not important. In fact, they are the most important to master for front end developers. I think everyone feels like being full stack is expected, but I expect that being a master of CSS for a front end developer is more valuable than knowing 10 random frameworks.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

💯💯Absolutely! I second everything Frank said

[@johnychinese]

Great Review

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoyed!

[@antonyefanov]

Great video

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thekwoka4707]

Would it be worthwhile to include stuff like OSS contributions (or own published packages) beyond just projects?

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Absolutely! Any contributions you've made to projects would look great, and an employer would love to see it! Good idea! 😄 I also just posted a new video about how you can include those things on LinkedIn to improve your network and connections! You should check it out!

[@jackmiddleton2080]

It is obvious to us that every web developer would know html and css but will it be obvious to some office assistant that doesn't code?

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Fair point. But most job descriptions show other tool chains, which should be the main focus of the resume vs wasting space on these!

[@pkorneev5226]

You was really critique about that beautiful white-green portfolio, which looks amazing , and you sad to Siona that that was really good and well done, are you foreal?) Weather app based on 1000 tutorials from youtube and portfolio in a projects section? No react , 0 frameworks and interesting libraries used there...

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Thanks for the feedback! It’s possible that every hiring manager will look at things differently, so other opinions are important! My critiques come from the hundreds of resumes I’ve read and dozens of junior engineers I’ve hired personally!

[@breakpause6082]

Thank you

[@modernprogrammer6101]

You’re very welcome!! Glad it was helpful!

[@vulpinatedesigns2498]

I def think you should include HTML5 as I hate when people do Div this and Div that, Div Div Div.... HTML is an organizer so orgianize! CSS3 is harder then REACT and JS!

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Fair point! There is definitely a difference between someone who knows HTML/CSS and someone who is truly good at them. Thanks!

[@zaouiamine6475]

hey jaden , just wanted to ask if a bad design would affect someone as a front end web dev from getting hired .

[@pavelhalko5727]

Well, as a frontend dev part of your job is to make the site look nice.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

I would say absolutely. For the people I’ve hired as FE devs, if I go to their personal website and it looks rough, that’s the end of the process for them… Hope that doesn’t sound too harsh, but even he FE devs have Designers working on the designs (that they just need to implement) if the dev’s personal site looks rough it means they are ‘OK’ with submitting code that is ‘just good enough’ which is a red flag for me. Hope that helps!! Let me know if you have follow up questions!

[@zaouiamine6475]

thank you both , it cleared some stuff for me .

[@Sanguine830]

If I am a designer with competence in css html and JavaScript (haven’t used a framework yet and mainly work on Wordpress) is it fair for me to include them?

[@modernprogrammer6101]

If you’re designer, I would actually say Yes! It does help for you to have that experience and can set you apart from other designers. Good question :)

[@sweetmelon3365]

valuable

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Glad you found value in it!! I'd always appreciate a share so others can find it valuable too!!

[@meghanroche5114]

How do I get my portfolio website to you ,Jaden

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Reach out on LinkedIn! You can search for me by name, or there is a link in the video description! I just posted a few days ago asking for portfolios and personal projects so comment on that post with your link!

[@cryptodev2615]

Great video. But, not one company planet earth that is a design consulting company has 100s of thousands of employees 😆

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed ;) I worked at Accenture for a while, and they’ve got 500,000+ employees!! But they aren’t a design-specific company…

[@Willifordwav]

That guy really put his address hahahahaha that’s probably not a great idea

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Yeah definitely not recommended... but to each their own I guess!

[@bonbonpony]

11:45 This one here begs for a tag cloud, with more important and more developed skills exposed with bigger & bolder fonts, and less important with smaller fonts and less contrast.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

That’s a fantastic idea!! That way if the employer doesn’t have a lot of time they won’t be distracted by the lesser skills. Brilliant 👊🏼

[@yashkalra6518]

Make a discord server where we can send you our website for review.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

I’ve got one in the works actually!! I’ll keep you posted ;)

[@modernprogrammer6101]

The Discord is ready!! Let's all join and help each other! discord.gg/zQBMEcWY95

[@yashkalra6518]

@@modernprogrammer6101 joined👍

[@modernprogrammer6101]

@@yashkalra6518 welcome!!

[@homerm.r4298]

"Don't include html and css" but isn't this for a "junior developer" position? ...

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Yes, it is... I admit it isn't an incredibly common opinion, but I did clarify that if it is the only thing on the list, you can include it! I just see skills lists that are WAY too long, so removing some of the more basic stuff makes sense!

[@Kevin-zz9du]

I've also heard not to include a picture of yourself. As far as skills go though, I feel a column maybe titled, "What I have experience in", and a column maybe titled, "what I specialize in", would help. Gives them a full picture, in my non-expert opinion.

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Thanks for sharing!! I've heard the photo thing as well, but personally I like to see the photo as it helps me to remember the person (other than just a name that I easily forget about). Also great insight on the skills section, it does make a big difference when you can quickly see what your specialty is! And if the team I am hiring for has need of someone with exposure (not necessarily expertise) in another area that will still be visible on your site.

[@stevenoketch6950]

How do I submit a portfolio for review

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Not sure if KZbin will let you comment it here… so check out my LinkedIn, and send me a DM on there, or tweet at me @JadenFeddock and I’ll take a look!

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Also don’t forget to Like the video and Subscribe if you haven’t already ;)

[@modernprogrammer6101]

Hi Steven, you can also submit a portfolio directly in our Discord! discord.gg/zQBMEcWY95