When deciding whether to include something in your portfolio, consider the following factors:
Relevance: Does the item showcase skills or experiences relevant to the field or role you are targeting? It should highlight your expertise and align with your career goals.
Quality: Ensure that the work is of high quality and reflects your best capabilities. It should demonstrate professionalism, attention to detail, and the level of competency you wish to convey.
Diversity: Include a range of works that show the breadth of your skills. Employers or clients often appreciate seeing versatility and the ability to adapt to different challenges.
Recency: More recent projects tend to reflect your current skill level and understanding of modern trends and technologies. However, if older works hold significant importance or uniqueness, they can be included alongside more recent ones.
Impact: Highlight projects that had a meaningful impact, whether it be quantitative results, improvement metrics, or tangible outcomes. Demonstrating impact can differentiate you from others.
Personal Significance: If the work holds personal significance, such as a project you’re proud of or one that tells a unique story about your journey, it may add a personal touch and authenticity to your portfolio.

Assessing your potential portfolio item against these criteria will help you make an informed decision about its inclusion.