How to create the best portfolio online: a guide for students in Canada and Australia

If you study at the University of Toronto, UBC, McGill, the University of Waterloo, the University of Alberta, Montréal, Melbourne, Sydney, ANU, UNSW, Monash, the University of Queensland or another university in Canada or Australia, your job search has a few features of its own, and many of your classmates are international students. This guide covers what is specific to the two countries.

Co-ops and internships come first

Canadian universities, and some Australian ones, offer co-op programmes where you alternate study with paid work terms. Waterloo is the best-known example. Other students look for internships or vacation work during summer breaks. In both countries, these early roles are often the route to a graduate job.

Employers look at them closely, so describe them well:

• Say what you did in each term, not just the company name.
• Give a result for each: something you shipped, improved or supported.
• Show the skills you gained, tied to real tasks.

A portfolio that is ready before applications open gives you an advantage, because co-op and internship cycles start early.

Résumé, CV and the right length

In Canada and Australia, the document you send is usually a résumé or CV of one to two pages. Photos, date of birth and similar personal details are normally left off. Follow the same approach on your portfolio. See personal information on your portfolio.

If you are an international student

Both countries host large numbers of international students. Rules about working during and after study depend on your visa and change over time, so check the official government site and your university's international office. On your portfolio, keep any statement about work eligibility short and factual, and don't guess.

Make your background easy to understand. Explain your degree and your grading system in a line if you studied elsewhere before. See portfolios for international job applications.

Choose three to five projects

Choose projects that match the role you want, where you did a real share of the work and can explain it in two minutes. Co-op work, capstone projects, hackathons, research with a professor, student society projects and personal projects all count.

For each, say the problem, your role, what you did and the result. Use real numbers only if you have them. See how to write a case study and quantifying your achievements.

Use the career services

Canadian and Australian universities usually have career centres that review résumés, run employer events and offer mock interviews. Ask them to review your portfolio too. Student societies and alumni networks can also help with feedback and introductions.

Canada: two languages

In some parts of Canada, especially Québec, employers may expect French. If you target those roles, add a French version or a French section, and state your language level honestly. Use the CEFR scale or plain words.

Keep the design simple

Choose a clean template with readable text and your best work at the top. Check that it loads quickly and looks right on a phone. See choosing a portfolio template and mobile-friendly portfolio websites.

Publish and share it

Folitox AI reads your résumé and drafts a portfolio website with your bio, projects, skills and education. You choose a template, correct anything that's wrong, add your images and links, and publish at your own address. It is free to start. Add the link to:

• The top of your résumé
• Your LinkedIn profile, in the Featured and About sections
• Your GitHub profile README, if you write code
• Co-op, internship and graduate applications
• Your email signature

See where to share your portfolio and your portfolio and LinkedIn profile.

By field

• Engineering and computer science: projects, co-op work and code. See the software developer portfolio guide and the engineering portfolio guide.
• Business and commerce: case studies, internships and society leadership. See the marketing portfolio guide.
• Design and media: process and a few strong pieces. See the designer portfolio guide.
• Health, sciences and arts: research, placements and writing samples. See the researcher and academic portfolio guide.

Quick checklist

• Portfolio ready before co-op and internship applications open
• Each work term described with what you did and the result
• No photo or date of birth
• Work eligibility, if mentioned, short and factual
• Three to five projects with problem, role and result
• Link on your résumé, LinkedIn and applications

Putting it together

Co-ops and internships drive many graduate offers in Canada and Australia. Get your portfolio ready early, describe each work term clearly, keep personal details minimal and share the link wherever you share your résumé.