Tweet Many of us got up Monday morning thinking about getting rid of those extra pounds we picked up over the Thanksgiving holiday. As I said in an earlier post, the hiring process is going to slow up until next year, so why not use this time to trim the fat off your portfolio, too?

Look at your book with a critical eye. Is it stuffed, because you can't decide what to cut? And when I say "stuffed," I'm talking about a book with more than 15 samples. You need to capture someone's attention immediately, not overwhelm them with everything. Try using these fat burning exercises:

• Focus on your expertise. If you are a digital creative, create a digital portfolio. If your background is direct marketing, showcase those DM samples, etc. Don't try to be everything to everyone. Hiring managers need to see what you are best at.
• Have a multimedia campaign. Along with your focused expertise, show some big ideas – 1-2 campaigns that work with multiple mediums.
• Get rid of outdated work. For example, if you've done car ads for vehicles that don't exist anymore, throw it out, unless it is REALLY exceptional work. (I'm guilty.) That includes any product or service that no longer exists or is obsolete. Feature work with fresh approaches.
• Ask for opinions you trust. Ask someone to take a look at your book, someone who will give you an honest critique. (Promise not to hate them for being brutally honest.) Also get more than one opinion. If you start seeing similar responses, then you have something you need to address.

Image courtesy of stock.xchng.