Career Portfolios
What is a career portfolio and why use one?
- Traditionally, a career portfolio has been used as a tool in the job search. Although there are other uses or reasons to have a portfolio, developing one and using it during the job hunt remains its main function.
- It truly is an extension of your resume and should be a compilation of examples of your very best work so it turns out to be a professional "package" of your credentials, qualifications and experiences.
- It presents the big picture of you and your potential.
- A portfolio can be used to negotiate a higher salary or support a promotion.
- It demonstrates transferable skills and competencies.
- It can be used during a performance evaluation to review accomplishments.
- Use it to track your own professional development and as a method to help you recognize your strengths. It also can be used to identify weaknesses and identify areas for growth or needed development. It is a "living" document and allows you to track and give evidence of progress throughout your career.
What is the format for a career portfolio?
- Generally, the portfolio has been presented in a book or booklet format
- With today's technology driven society, more and more job seekers as well as working professionals are presenting their portfolios using electronic media such as CD-rom or the web.
- Whichever format is chosen, it must be attractive, well organized and neat. A PORTFOLIO IS NOT A SCRAPBOOK, nor should it be a couple of links on your website. It should be a professional presentation. See the guidelines section below for some ideas and tips for putting together a portfolio.
Who uses a portfolio?
- It is an excellent tool for any profession. Although they have been used for many years by photographers, architects, writers, PR specialists, journalists, marketing and advertising representatives, portfolios, in today's fast changing work, can demonstrate that you are versatile and bring many skills and abilities to a potential employer. A portfolio can provide tangible evidence of your abilities, organizational skills, accomplishments and creativity.
- Teacher candidates are expected to provide a portfolio when interviewing for a position. It is important to carefully develop the portfolio and have it ready at the beginning of the job search. For specific suggestions for teacher portfolios, see teachers portfolio.
When should you start your portfolio?
- Immediately! Even freshmen can start collecting examples of their work for inclusion.
- There are so many facets and experiences in your life as you progress through your college education, start documenting, collecting and organizing now! Some examples are class projects, papers written, extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences, athletics/intramural, projects you've worked on or helped organize as part of an RSO, photos from any of these activities, work experiences - paid or unpaid.
What should I include in a portfolio?
Start collecting and organizing now. Use a file box, drawer, trunk, or whatever it takes to hold your documents. You may want to use folders labeled with titles such as class projects,
thank you letters, class papers, honors/awards, professional conferences, work, etc. The process of putting together a portfolio will be easier if your materials are at least somewhat categorized
as you start making decisions of what to include. Listed below is a very general list of documents and categories to consider including.
Basic information & verification of education
- Resume
- Transcripts
- Diploma(s) - copies
- Licenses/Certificates - copies
- Professional or career goals statement
Professional Development
- Brochures from professional conferences or workshops you've attended
- Certification of Continuing Education Units
- Certificates of Completion
Extra-curricular activities - documents or photos showing:
- Community involvement
- Church activities/responsibilities
- Events you've organized or been responsible for in clubs or organizations
- Newsletters or articles you've written
Skills/Technology
- Computer software - examples of work such as copies of spreadsheets or data bases you designed and used, brochures, etc.
- Multi-media samples or presentations
- Technology demonstration - copy of a web page or homepage you designed
Work Experience
- Job descriptions
- Job performance evaluations, attendance records (if exceptional)
- Letters of commendation
Letters of Reference
Testimonials/Thank Yous
- Letters/notes commenting positively on a project you worked on or service you provided from supervisors, satisfied customers, co-workers.
Samples of Work organized by areas
- Communications skills - include things that demonstrate planning, organization, teamwork and leadership skills. Include some writing examples.
- Class projects - Consider research papers, lab write-ups, presentations, case studies, senior projects, etc. If a complete paper copy is too bulky, prepare a shortened version or an outline highlighting the strongest aspects of the project.
- Publications/articles written for campus newspaper, magazine, student organization newsletters, etc.
- Computer programs
No two portfolios are alike and you may choose to organize your portfolio quite differently than another person. Keep in mind, your portfolio is an individual statement, and, it may need to be changed as you use it for various job interviews or applications. Tailor your portfolio to suit the audience who will be reviewing or reading it.
GUIDELINES
Design:
- Be creative and make it attractive and professional looking.
- Create some attractive graphics or artwork for your cover or opening page and repeat throughout portfolio, perhaps at section breaks.
- Consider a theme for your portfolio. You could use something traditional for your profession or consider incorporating quotes from well-know professionals in your field.
- You might use something as simple as borders on the section break pages.
- Each page should be easy to read. Use white space and don't put too much information on a page. Stick with a consistent theme or style, but incorporate some variety in the presentations to keep the reader's attention.
Organization:
It is likely that potential employers will not read your portfolio cover to cover, but will be interested in particular sections. Make your portfolio easy, convenient and quick to use. This will not only be beneficial for the employer or search committee, but also for you if you are using it during an interview.
- Use a table of contents. Since portfolios may be changed or added to frequently, rather than using page numbers to direct the reader, you may want to refer them to sections.
- Sections will vary with each person. Some who have received several awards or honors may have a section entitled "Awards/Honors." Others may not have that section but may need one entitled "Community Service" if they have had several volunteer or campus activities. Keep in mind that each section should demonstrate something about you and your abilities or qualifications.
- Use the same guidelines for your portfolio that you use for your resume: Include information that is recent and relevant to the position you're applying to and highlight experiences that set you apart from others.
- Be selective in what you include in your portfolio. Although you may have many good examples, you're probably not going to be able to include them all. Only your very best works should be included. Consider these descriptive words when making your selections-best, unique, successful, outstanding. Your goal is to have a high quality portfolio-not just a big one
- Be consistent throughout. For instance, if you're using photos in your portfolio, label each one the same, using the same font or print style and size and place the label in the same place. If you use a cover page or some other method to indicate a new section, use that same method for all section breaks. The reader should be able to easily differentiate between sections.
In the end, what you want your portfolio to do is provide support that you are the organized, creative and highly qualified individual your resume says you are, and that you have the abilities and qualities employers are looking for. This is your chance to provide solid evidence that you can work at a professional level. Whether you use the traditional book format or go with new technology, employers will appreciate you taking the time to organize and prepare this representation of your work.
