Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of items that best illustrates your skills along with experiences that chart your professional growth. It enables you to demonstrate your most valuable qualifications and market yourself to employers. Creating a professional portfolio can be advantageous for all individuals.

Step One: Determine Your format

Portfolios can be online, on a CD, in a slide show, or a hard copy. Determine what best fits your situation and the context in which you will be presenting your portfolio. Bring a printed copy of your electronic portfolio with you to interviews. Ask the employer to find out what type is preferred and appropriate for your interview. Check out Folio21 in Titan Jobs to create your own electronic portfolio.

Step Two: Collect

This is an ongoing process. Identify and collect evidence of your skills and experience from:

Step Three: Sort

Typical elements of a portfolio include:

Step Four: Interview

Your portfolio is a support tool, not a show and tell item. Integrate items of your portfolio throughout the interview. For example, if an employer asks you to describe a time when you paid close attention to detail, show an example that illustrates this qualification.

During the interview

Expect to use your portfolio three to five times throughout the interview but avoid overuse. Keep the focus on you and your qualifications, not your portfolio. Do not leave your portfolio behind. Leave employers with a Web address of your electronic portfolio or a CD. Customize your portfolio for each interview by choosing three or four examples that best fit the position.

For more information, download portfolio creation instructions.