How to Build a Career Portfolio

A career portfolio can effectively showcase your best work and accomplishments to potential employers. In today's competitive job market, building a career portfolio can set you apart from other applicants and give an edge over the competition. However, a career portfolio must be built properly and professionally, otherwise it can do more harm than good.

Things You'll Need

• Portfolio
• Personal career paperwork

Instructions

1. Decide what type of portfolio to use. A three-ring binder, a leather-bound portfolio or an electronic portfolio on a CD or a web-based online portfolio can all be effective, but some may work better for certain job industries than others. Talk to colleagues or peers in the field in which you wish to work to determine which type of career portfolio is standard for your particular industry.

2. Determine the layout of the portfolio. Common things to include in a career portfolio are: resume, cover letter, professional philosophy statement, letters of recommendation, samples of your work, honors and awards, transcripts, degrees, licenses, certifications, professional development activities and workshops, research, publications, reports, volunteer work and a list of business and personal references. Sections can be added or eliminated depending on the specific industry. Decide exactly how you want the information included in your portfolio showcased and displayed.

3. Gather or create all the desired materials or paperwork. Up date your resume, request current letters of recommendation, and use a copier to make all the necessary copies of each document. This is the most time-consuming step of the whole process, but if done correctly in the beginning it takes a minimal amount of time to maintain or update your portfolio.

4. Add pictures. Much of a portfolio is content based, but adding pictures or graphics can not only grab potential employers' attention but, if done correctly, also makes a more professional looking portfolio. Using tabs or dividers and making the portfolio as user-friendly as possible can also earn you bonus points.

5. Proofread everything and get feedback from a trusted family member or friend. Even if you think the portfolio looks absolutely perfect, it is still a good idea to have other people look at it and give honest feedback and constructive criticism. Simple spelling mistakes, or including too much or not enough information can quickly destroy any benefit of having a career portfolio. Make sure your portfolio is not only perfect in your eyes, but in others' eyes as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Creating a hybrid of a traditional and electronic portfolio can work well. It's nice to be able to bring a portfolio for potential employers to examine, but it's even better to be able to leave a CD or link to a website that the employer can look at after you leave the interview.

• Employers may not directly ask to see your portfolio, so be prepared to work it into the answers of the interview questions. It is your responsibility to take every advantage to show your portfolio and receive that edge over the competition.

References

• QuintCareers.com
• Maine Community College -- Center for Career Development

Resources

• Florida State University - Career Portfolios