A strong portfolio can help you feel confident about hiring someone. But sometimes, even a great-looking portfolio hides a few warning signs.
You don’t need to be a designer, developer, or marketing expert to spot them. You just need to know what to look for.
Here are five red flags that should make you pause before hiring.
1. Work looks good, but there’s no explanation
Pretty pictures don’t tell you much. A solid contractor will explain the project, the goal, and what part they played.
If the portfolio only shows images with no context, ask yourself:
- What problem did they solve?
- Did they do the whole project or just one part?
- Did it actually work?
If they can’t explain what they did and why it mattered, be careful.
2. Everything looks the same
Some consistency is fine. But if every project looks like a copy of the last one, it may be a sign that they’re not adaptable.
A good contractor adjusts to the client, the brand, and the audience. If you’re hiring someone to work on your unique business, you want to know they can switch things up.
3. No live or real-world examples
It’s easy to create nice-looking samples or mockups. But real work — the kind that went live and served a real client — matters more.
If there’s no link to a working site, app, article, or campaign, ask if the project was published or just a test. The best contractors will be proud to show live results.
4. No variety in clients or industries
Everyone starts somewhere. But if a contractor only shows personal projects or work for one company, it’s harder to know how they’ll perform in new situations.
Look for signs they’ve worked with different clients or on different types of problems. This shows they can adapt, take feedback, and work with different styles.
5. Gaps in credit or unclear roles
Some people post work they didn’t fully do. If you see group projects or team efforts, that’s fine — but they should be clear about their role.
Were they the lead? Did they only help with one part? A trustworthy contractor won’t take credit for work that isn’t theirs.
Final Thoughts
A portfolio is just the starting point. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Look for clarity, not just polish.
At Hyrilla, we review every portfolio by hand — not just for looks, but for proof of real work, clear thinking, and honest presentation. If you want help avoiding guesswork, we’ll send you matches we’ve already vetted.
