How to Build a Professional Portfolio for a Job Interview
If you've ever interviewed a large number of people for a vacancy, you probably found that over time the candidates all seemed to blend into one another. Successful applicants find a way to set themselves apart from the pack. With only a limited window of time to impress the interviewer, using a professional portfolio can help you showcase your most notable skills and achievements. Portfolio documents also help you demonstrate -- not just tell -- your abilities and leave the interview panel with a long-term reminder of your best work.
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Instructions
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Gather documents such as your resume, awards and educational transcripts. Collect samples of your best work. Include items such as organizational charts or job descriptions if your current job title does not adequately reflect the job responsibilities you hold.
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Study the job application for the position you are applying for. Select the most relevant items from your collection of documents, so that your portfolio displays items that demonstrate your abilities and experience in the specific skills the vacancy requires. Refine the number of items in your portfolio to approximately 10 pages.
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Display the items in a professional, businesslike binder or accordion folder. Divide the items into relevant sections so that you can easily identify the documents you need during the interview. Make additional copies of each item so that you can hand some out to the interview panel.
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Build an online website to host your portfolio. Hand out business cards with a link to your portfolio. This allows the interview panel to review your documents on their own time, and enables you to showcase more items than you would otherwise be able to pass out at the interview. An online portfolio also allows you to upload video of your most impressive achievements and links to other sites you have created.
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Think about the specific questions you might be asked during the interview. Decide which portfolio items could tie into your answers. For example, if you are asked about strengths and weaknesses, use a portfolio item as an example of a strength. Bring portfolio documents to show your experience in a certain area: "I have over 10 years' experience in direct marketing, and just last year I won a national award for one of my campaigns. I have an example if you would like to see it?"
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Tips & Warnings
Pay attention to the presentation of your portfolio. Your organizational skills will be judged on the appearance of your portfolio -- it will reflect poorly on you if you can't find the items you need, or have to spend time riffling through crumpled paperwork.
Proofread each item before including it in your portfolio.
Consider creating an action plan specific to the particular vacancy -- for example, what you would do in your first 30, 60 and 90 days on the job -- to demonstrate your commitment to the position and give the interviewers a preview of what to expect if you were hired.
Don't expect to use every item in your portfolio. Only use samples that are directly relevant to the interview question, or you will seem like you're trying too hard.
Just because your electronic portfolio has the capability to store many more items than a physical portfolio doesn't mean you should be any less selective about what you display. Your portfolio should always present your best, most impressive work.
Avoid using your picture or video of yourself in your portfolio, as this can present employment law issues for the potential employer.
