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Resume vs Portfolio - Tired of sending CV's and getting ghosted?
- Johlize Joubert
- Nov 10
- 4 min read
Most new Virtual Assistants start their business the same way they’d apply for a job — by writing a CV.
If you want to attract high-value clients who trust you with their business, you need more than a list of your skills — you need proof that you can solve real problems.
Why Most New VAs Struggle to Get Clients
If you’re a new Virtual Assistant, I know you’ve spent hours perfecting your CV, hoping it would help you land your first client. But here’s the thing — clients don’t hire you like an employer does.
A resume gets you hired. A portfolio gets you chosen.
This is the difference between being hireable and being client-attractive.
In this post, you’ll learn exactly why your portfolio is the most powerful tool in your VA business, how it differs from a CV, and how to use AI to turn your existing experience into compelling portfolio case studies — even if you’ve never had a client before.
Before we start - shameless plug:
This AI tool will help you if you have a CV and need help identifying ideal clients, their problems, solutions AND it will create a set of case studies for you. You'll have a great starting point in figuring out who need to serve, you'll get a full report and content to help you create a portfolio - did I mention we have a free portfolio canva template?
Ok let's go..
What’s the Difference Between a Resume and a Portfolio?
Im going to make it simple:
Resume (CV) | Portfolio |
Lists your work experience and skills | Shows your work in action |
Written for employers or recruiters | Written for potential clients |
Focuses on your history | Focuses on results and impact |
Tells what you can do | Proves what you can do |
Example:
Resume: “Experienced in social media management and content creation.”
Portfolio: “Helped a health coach increase engagement by 250% through a consistent brand strategy and optimized posting schedule.”
Your resume tells, but your portfolio shows. And in a service-based business, showing always wins.
Why a Portfolio with Case Studies Converts Better
A portfolio with case studies doesn’t just showcase your skills — it builds trust.
Here’s why clients prefer it:
It shows your process. Clients can see how you think and how you solve problems.
It proves results. You can highlight outcomes, metrics, and feedback.
It builds authority. Even one or two strong examples position you as a professional.
It helps clients visualize working with you. They can see their own problems in your case studies.
When clients can see proof that you understand their pain points and know how to fix them, they stop comparing you on price — and start trusting you based on value.
What to Include in Your VA Portfolio
Think of your portfolio as a collection of “mini success stories.” Each one should follow this simple structure:
Client or Project Overview: Who it was for (or a general description if it’s a hypothetical case).
The Problem: What the client was struggling with.
The Solution: How you approached it and what tools or systems you used.
The Results: The transformation — this can be measurable data, qualitative feedback, or a visible improvement.
Visuals or Proof: Before/after screenshots, templates, or examples of your work.
Even if you’ve never had a paying client, you can still create practice projects that show how you’d solve a real-world issue — it’s about demonstrating your thinking process.
Here's the link again if you are feeling increasingly uncomfy with making a portfolio :)
Want to DIY? Here is how -
Use AI to Turn Your Resume into a Portfolio
Here’s a free AI prompt you (or your readers) can use to instantly transform a resume into case-study-style portfolio content:
AI Prompt for Virtual Assistants
“I am a Virtual Assistant building my first professional portfolio. Below is my Resume/CV. Please analyze my skills and experiences, and identify which ones solve common client problems (like time management, admin overload, social media inconsistency, or customer communication issues). Then, create 3 case study drafts for my portfolio in this format: 1. The Problem: Describe a common client issue my skills could solve.2. The Solution: Explain how I’d apply my skills to fix this problem.3. Results in Action: Write a short, realistic example (even hypothetical) that shows this solution working — include measurable results or transformation if possible. Format it like portfolio entries I can edit and personalize. Here’s my resume:[Paste resume or CV here]”
Once the AI generates your drafts:✨ Choose 3–5 that best match your niche or services.✨ Add your personal touches — tone, visuals, and testimonials if available.✨ Publish them on your Wix site, Notion page, Canva presentation, or Google Slides.
Remember: your first portfolio isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity and credibility.
Example Case Study Format
Here’s a quick example you can use as a template:
Client: Health Coach (Lifestyle Brand)
Problem: Inconsistent posting and low engagement on Instagram.
Solution: Created a 30-day content calendar, batched captions in Canva, and scheduled posts with Buffer.
Result: Increased engagement by 250% and saved the client 8 hours per week.
Final Thoughts: Your Resume Tells, Your Portfolio Proves
Your resume might get you noticed, but your portfolio gets you booked.
If you want clients to see your value, show them what you can do — not just what you’ve done.
It’s time to bridge the gap between being hireable and being client-attractive.Start by turning your resume into a portfolio that proves your impact — and watch how quickly clients start choosing you.
Want Help Creating Yours?
If you’d like expert guidance, book a 1-on-1 VA Portfolio Strategy Session with me.We’ll analyze your experience, map your skills to client needs, and design a results-based portfolio that gets you booked, not overlooked.
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